Autumn: The Season of Transformation
September marks the onset of autumn which is the season of transformation. As we step into September, we face many changes. First, the temperature is gradually decreasing, as we already feel it in the morning and evening nowadays. Then, the colors of fields, forests, and mountains are changed. The green of the summer becomes yellows and browns of the fall. It means that the time of the harvest is coming. Because of the harvest, the minds of people also change at ease. In fact, people eagerly waited for the time of harvest in agricultural culture before the industrial revolution. And then, in order to celebrate and give thanks to God for their harvest, traditionally and culturally, there are many holidays and festivals in autumn around the world. This is all because autumn is the season of change.
Although we find ourselves stepping into the season defined by transformation, it seems that many of us are hesitant to embrace changes happening in our life. We have a tendency to pursue something stable, familiar, and predictable. We want things to stay familiar and we don’t want to try something unpredictable. However, transformation is a necessary element of our life. We have to remember that the reasons we are waiting for autumn are also based on its transformative characteristic. Change is a very natural process of our life. We don’t need to be worried about something new, creative, and challenging. Here, I suggest you try to change your life to grow your faith in God in this season of transformation. September is the month we re-start our church. Please be a part of our Sunday worship service, Monday School, and Wednesday Bible Study. Bring the children to Sunday School. It will be a great chance to learn about the word of God, to be aware of God’s love and grace, and to feel the living God in our lives. Also, please join our church missions such as Koinonia Café, Agape Dinner, and other monthly and seasonal mission events. It will help you understand how God works in this world. In this season of transformation, may we change ourselves by God’s will and moreover, may we change this world into the kingdom of God through our transformation. Amen.
Pastor Jinha Choi
First & Wesley United Methodist Church