Uplook - September 2, 2023

Happy September,

While it is still officially summer and the weather is reflective of it in Seattle. There is no doubt the Autumn/Fall season is approaching quickly.  Lori and I were out on a walk yesterday with our granddaughter and noticed the first of the leaves falling in our neighborhood.  We have also noticed that the length of daylight is shortening and we close our living room blinds much earlier than back in June. Various schools have or are about to return to classroom instruction.  On the sports front there are less than 30 regular season games (out of 162) for major league baseball teams including our Mariners.  And the sound, crowds, enthusiasm, and traffic of high school, college, and professional American football are in the air.  And finally, our churches have resumed having special meetings on various dates throughout the late summer and fall.
 
I only share this in an attempt to remind us of the various ways in which we are reminded of the seasons.  Jesus told a parable about the fig tree but Luke’s sharing of that parable suggests that we can learn the lesson from “all the trees”.  In the case of deciduous trees, in spring time they bud, some blossom, and soon there is green foliage.  But just as sure is that in the fall the leaves begin to change color and eventually drop to the ground.  By these signs we understand the season which is upon us.    

And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees; 30 When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. 31 So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand. Luke 21:29–31

We believe God’s kingdom is certainly at hand…being lived out by Jesus’ disciples every day and yet we also are certain that the events in the world around us point to the ultimate culmination of that kingdom with the return of Jesus to earth to retrieve his bride, the Church.  May we all live our lives with such purpose and enthusiasm to point others toward the kingdom this fall.

Housekeeping notes:

1. No Sunday night service for the Sunday of Labor Day weekend
2. No Sunday night service for September 10 to allow saints to attend Chehalis Special Meetings.

God bless you all.
BB
Rev. William E. McKibben
Senior Pastor