Leaves lie scattered on the ground. If not raked up, they become part of the soil, nurturing the roots of trees, bushes and grass. And so the cycle of nature repeats itself again and again. The work of nature is a gift without which we would not be here.
Nature, in my mind, is like my grandmother, always busy in the kitchen. A wonderful Psalm (19) puts it well:
"The heavens are telling the glory of God;/and the firmament proclaims His handiwork.
"Day to day pours forth speech,
and night to night declares knowledge."
While nature continues to make a full disclosure of God's caring love, you and I are not far from year's end, when we must make full disclosure of our income for the year.
Politicians, seeking high office, express their political approaches in the face of our nation's needs, and why they should have our vote. We hope they are making a full and creative disclosure of their plans for our nation.
Most everywhere, human outreach for things is ongoing - and appalling, in a sense, for it puts the needs of the spirit on the sidelines, as well as God's will for our lives. Confession calls for our full disclosure. It is not only an admission of our need for mercy, but also our need for God's shepherding guidance. Confession is not playing it on the safe side, but a prelude to our wish to serve God more fully. It clarifies who we are. To be mindless of this leads to a spiritual poverty which we can scarcely afford!
If we were to paint a picture of our response to God, it would be wise, don't you think, to stop and step back, every now and then to see if it communicates what we desire in the face of God's love.
God has spared nothing, not even His Son, that we might have life more abundantly in our hearts and minds. What a full disclosure!
God doesn't breathe down our necks about His wishes for our lives. He is respectful of our freedom. That truth is well noted in the book of Revelation where it is said, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock."
God's love is patient and kind. It seeks a fullness of peace in our lives. Thanks be to God!