Oh, hey, girl! How are you spending this autumn season? Was it good?
As a woman from the South, I was sweating in five minutes on my morning walk even though temperatures are still hovering in the low 80s, so let’s just say the fall weather hasn’t completely cooled down here yet. I sigh. But thankfully, while it may not feel like fall just yet, it’s definitely peeking through as colorful leaves scatter to the ground, making their delightful crunching noises, and filling my home with the season’s warm, musky scent.
Autumn faithfully meets us like a dear old friend, awakening our senses and allowing us to experience God in a new way. So as we continue to embrace this season, whispering sweet blessings of beautiful change, may we seize the opportunity to pause, slow down, and find God in tender everyday moments.
But before we proceed, may I pray for you?
God, as we discover your faithfulness and goodness in this precious fall season, open our hearts and minds to see how you move in our lives every day. We invite you to explore this season with a fresh perspective as we use our five senses to proclaim the scriptures and take intentional steps to welcome them in all their wonder and beauty. Thank you for opening our hearts and minds Thank you for the magnificent work of your hands. You are truly a wonderful God. Amen.
Now, my fellow believers in Christ, let’s take a deep breath and find ways to intentionally find God in this season, especially in the most casual of moments. are you ready? He is waiting for you and ready to show you incredible love.
Staring at God’s autumn canvas
Therefore, we look not at what is seen, but at what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:18
As the seasons change, we are reminded that nothing lasts forever this side of heaven. As we look to things above to grasp the promise of eternal life, we are also fortunate to have time to gaze upon the beauty God has created on earth. Our faithful God has prepared works by His own hands for us to enjoy. We can praise and thank God for the beautiful tapestry of colors that has unfolded before us during this beautiful fall season.
Take a walk to refresh your mind.
Wake up early and watch the beautiful sunset.
Sit quietly, reflect on your day, and watch the sunset.
How else can we enjoy the work of God’s hands and marvel at His creations?
feel the warmth of his love
So we know God’s love and trust in it. God is love. Anyone who lives in love lives in God, and God lives in them. 1 John 4:16
As Christians, we are called to honestly “know” God by seeking His truth and living a life that honors Him. We do this by humbly submitting and abiding in God’s love. This fall is the perfect time to relax with God and feel His warmth and love.
Read the Word while cuddling up under a cozy blanket.
Relax by the fire, feel the warmth, and thank God for His provision and protection.
Serve and love others this season. Then you too can be blessed with God’s love.
How can we experience God’s warmth and love this season in a way that touches our hearts and ignites our faith?
Enjoy seasonal scents
and walk In love, as Christ loved us and gave himself for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Ephesians 5:2
Ephesians 5 provides us with a manual for how to live as believers and fundamentally imitate Christ. We must, as Christ did, give of ourselves and walk a path that is deeply contradictory to this world. While Christ offered the perfect sacrificial sacrifice that was pleasing to God, we too can strive to give God our best and glorify Him through obedience, through our words, deeds, and actions.
According to the Bible, “fragrant offerings” symbolized reparation, worship, and honoring God through intensive prayer. As we take in the many sweet scents of the season, may they remind us to live more intentionally and recognize our true meaning with God.
Thank God for caring for you and your family’s needs as you prepare a comforting meal that fills your home with rich aromas.
Pray an honest prayer while sipping on a delicious pumpkin spice latte that smells so good.
As you light up your home with autumn-scented candles and hand warmers, offer yourself wholeheartedly to God and seek repentance in various areas of your life. You need God’s mercy and grace.
Is there another way to enjoy the sweet scent of the season and have a meaningful encounter with God?
slow down and listen to his voice
My sheep hear my voice. I know them and they follow me. John 10:27
Jesus, the Good Shepherd, demonstrates the humble and personal nature of the God we serve by deeply caring for and protecting His sheep, seeking them out when they are lost, and laying down His life for His flock. As beloved children of the Lord, we have the privilege and honor of attuning ourselves to His voice as we be still, still, slow, patient, and earnestly seek Him with pure hearts. Though perhaps inaudible, we hear God’s voice through the whispers of truth and promises woven into His Word. We can also meet and hear God through intimate prayer, hymns and worship songs, or just by sitting in silence and receiving God’s peace. As the days get shorter, we have time to stop, reflect, and listen.
Step outside and take some intentional deep breaths to relax your body. And turn to God for peace.
Pray with the intention of gaining wisdom and hearing God’s voice.
Start a gratitude journal and start a conversation with God while praising Him.
How can you connect with God and hear His voice?
Let’s enjoy the taste of autumn
your words are so sweet to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Psalm 119:103
The Psalms are like balms that heal the soul through their praise-like verses and flowery words, proclaiming that we serve a wonderful God. If we focus on Psalm 119, the longest chapter in the Bible, we see that it serves an even greater purpose, describing it as sweet as honey and calling attention to the need to rely heavily on God’s Word for guidance. This time of year, as you gather around a table full of rich food and delicious feasts with family and friends, let us consciously keep Psalm 119:103 in mind. It is comforting to know that as we obey God’s laws and keep His commands, we openly receive God’s blessings and thereby grow in our faith. How sweet is that?
Be adventurous and try new festive foods this season. Enjoy as you dig deeper into God’s Word.
During this harvest season, prepare your hearts to give thanks and praise to a faithful God.
Spread God’s love this time of year with lots of fall flavors and enjoy sharing them with family, friends, and neighbors.
How can we enjoy this harvest season and offer God a heart of pure gratitude?
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/DjelicS
Alicia Searle is a dedicated author, blogger, and speaker who is passionate about pouring out her heart and leading women of all ages to Jesus. She has an academic background and holds a master’s degree in reading and writing. Her loved ones call her Mama. So much of her time is spent cheering them on at softball games and dance classes. She’s married to her crush (a tall, spiky-haired blonde) who can make a mean latte. She writes her heart on the page while sipping on the deliciousness as the puppy licks her paws. Visit her website aliciasearl.com and connect with her on Instagram and Facebook.
