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BRILLIANT red and gold stretch across the landscape and move me to share my transition into fall painting. Late last winter, I painted three panels to depict four seasons, which required incorporating transitions between each season. At the time, I had no idea of the transition about to take place in my own life. As spring passed, so did my husband. The loss of my beloved included the loss of a whole way of life after fifty-two years together. Today, I look at this painting and its unavoidable fruitfulness that brushes self-pity right off the canvas.

Every year I witness the transition of lush summer greens into autumn brilliance. The miracle of life moves from dormant seeds to sprouting leaves to ripened fruits and vegetables. The sun shines, the wind blows, clouds move in, and rains fall—all working together to produce a fruitful harvest.

God still retains a purpose for me (and you) on this rapidly changing earth place. Eugene Peterson says in his introduction to Job, “He (God) does not instruct us in how to live so that we can avoid suffering. Suffering is a mystery, and Job comes to respect the mystery.” Therefore, I ask the LORD not to waste my sorrows but use this process to bear fruit for His glory.

Life transitions work together to conform us into the image of Jesus, so we produce fruit to the glory of God. Oh, but the process! A ministry teammate once asked God to help us not to despise the process. I’ve heard the word “unprecedented” more over these last few years than I can count. Lawlessness, social unrest, economic disasters, political atrocities, financial hardships, national division, health deceptions, sexual confusion, destructive weather patterns, volcanos, hurricanes, floods, drought, and fires cause worldwide unrest, anxiety, fear, and terror.

Thousands of years ago, God’s Word said these things would happen. The Church Age will only last so long before a grieving God removes His restraining hand over evil. Sudden destruction will fall on unbelieving and rebellious people and nations as it did in the days of Noah and Lot. This transition has already begun, and there is nothing we can do about it but trust God the Father who orchestrates all things to reveal Himself to mankind.

He did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. The death and resurrection of God’s Son purchased our salvation so we would not perish with the world but that we could have eternal life through faith in Him (see Jn 3:16-17)

Another sudden transition comes when Christ returns to earth at the end of the tribulation as He promised. He will set up His millennial kingdom, rule it with a rod of iron, and restore it to its former glory as the Garden of Eden. The final prophetic transition the Bible foretells is a new heaven, new earth, and the New Jerusalem.

But until then, I must take life one day at a time, persevering by faith in the race God Himself set before me. I must keep my eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of my faith. For the joy set before Him, He endured the cross (See Heb 12:1-2). He has also set a joy, a “blessed hope” (Titus 2:13) before those who put their trust in Him. He went to prepare a place for us that where He is, there we shall also be (Jn 14:2-3). One of these days, He will snatch us from destruction to live with Him forever (See 1Thes 4:13-18).

More than ever in these uncertain and fearful days, we as branches must abide in the Vine to produce much fruit to the glory and praise of our heavenly Father. “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time, we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up” (Gal 6:9).

We are not only in a time of change but rising persecution. We may experience job loss, ridicule, bullying, and outright hate when we do not compromise our convictions to follow the crowd or political control. As Isaiah said to Ahaz, If you do not stand firm in your faith, You will not stand at all” (Isaiah 7: 9). How absolutely true! Riding the proverbial fence is no longer an option for those of us laying claim to an eternal King and Kingdom.

Please stand firm in the faith with me. Just a little longer and faith will become sight.

Maranatha! (The Lord is at hand)