embracing the contrast ...

so, steve jobs died today. interesting that i had already planned this as my blog post ...

fall is my absolute favorite time of year to run. (of course, i’ll probably say the same thing when springtime rolls around.) but after a long, hot, humid summer, there’s just something about the crisp morning sunrises, the clear blue skies, the ability to run at any time of day without worrying about the heat, and the beautiful fall colors that puts a spring in my step and a smile on my face.

even though it is a season of dying, it still feels so full of life. there are new colors, new tastes, new smells, new sensations. the harvest is gathered, bringing life to those that planted, as well as to all those who will enjoy the fruits of their labor. plants are cut back and the ground is turned over, preparing for new life after winter has passed. people decorate with corn husks and hay bales, finding beauty in what is left behind.

ecclesiastes 3 reminds us “for everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven ...

a time to be born and a time to die.
a time to plant and a time to harvest.
a time to kill and a time to heal.
a time to tear down and a time to build up.
a time to cry and a time to laugh.
a time to grieve and a time to dance.
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones.
a time to embrace and a time to turn away.
a time to search and a time to quit searching.
a time to keep and a time to throw away.
a time to tear and a time to mend.
a time to be quiet and a time to speak.
a time to love and a time to hate.
a time for war and a time for peace. (vv. 1-8)

with fall, as we are reminded that all things must come to an end, there are also numerous promises of renewal to carry us through until spring comes again.

this morning on our run, we noted a particularly vibrant new addition to the autumn landscape. there was a plant that had been turning a brilliant shade of red as it was dying. today, we were surprised to see that it was now full of little yellow flowers.

without its death, this beautiful new life would not have been possible.

the beauty of life lies in the contrast. we cannot truly appreciate joy without also experiencing grief. we cannot truly appreciate healing without also experiencing sickness. we cannot truly appreciate quiet without also experiencing commotion.

i recently stumbled across this prayer that i wrote some time ago.

“thank you, God, for Your faithfulness in bringing me at least a glimpse of the hope for which i long, and help me remember that hope is not nearly as sweet without first experiencing the despair.”

i thank God for the hard times, because i know they make me appreciate the good times that much more. embrace the contrast.

the death of steve jobs is amplified by the greatness of his life. may we all be challenged to live in such a way.