Something delightful happens in Florida at this time of year and even though we still have temperatures in the 80’s  – I know it’s Fall. 

We don’t get the beautiful tapestry of changing leaves.  We don’t get to wear sweaters or dream about steaming mugs of hot cider.  But I know summer is behind us. 

The shadows are different.

I look out my windows in the late afternoon, and the shadows are longer.  And even though I’m still running my air conditioning, those long shadows made by a sun setting just a little lower in the sky (behind the odd mix of pine and palm trees) tell me that things are about to change. 

They are “shadows of turning”.  I guess I never really thought about them like that until recently.  The words to one notable hymn have been going through my head. “Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father, there is no shadow of turning with Thee…”.   That’s from James 1:7.  “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning”.

It’s reassuring to know that my God has no seasons, no times when He changes how He feels about me, no times when His Word can’t be trusted. 

I like the afternoon shadows to change. But now when I look at them, I’m going to think about the fact that my God doesn’t – and I like that even better.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8

“For I am the LORD, I do not change”. Malachi 3:6