Nehemiah 11-13; Psalm 126: I know there are many of you that are a buzz because today is the beginning of October and you are loving all of the pumpkin spice and fall colors. I get that and I love the beauty and smells of this time of year, but I always enter October with a heavy heart for the darkness that is celebrated during this time as well. From horror movies to full on celebration of all things evil my heart grieves. Granted I know not everyone is involved in that stuff. instead of celebrating the darkness my heart wants to run to the light. So today’s scriptures lighten my soul as I imagine God’s people singing in antiphonal praise around the new wall built in their beloved Jerusalem. I can almost smell the smoke of the offerings and hear the prophet’s as they read the Torah. My heart rejoices to know that those who were once captives in a foreign land had been given the privilege of returning and restoring the land they loved. They had much to celebrate, but we do as well.
So I am starting this month with Praise and thanksgiving to the One who gives life! I praise Him that though at times we may sow in tears, we can reap in joy and laughter as the Psalm says. We too were once captives of sin, but we now rejoice as Children of the Living God. We serve a God of the Living who conquered death and the grave! So on this first day of October I celebrate the life that may at times looks dead or dying much like the leaves on the trees but is very much alive within. I celebrate that just as Jesus was dead and buried that He did not come back as a Zombie, but as the Living King of Kings and Lord of Lords! I celebrate that death and evil has NO victory over this child of God! Indeed we have much to celebrate!