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Who doesn’t love the fall season? It’s the time of year where we get to see God change the landscape. Our eyes will glisten as we absorb the beautiful changing colors of the leaves. It’s majestic.

The new identity allows them to prepare for winter. The greenery around us knows that during the winter months they will be tested. The root system will show forth what they are made of.

There is something about the winter months that can challenge me. Something about the sun not shining takes me back to being a little girl who felt a heaviness over my soul. It’s amazing how those days make me ponder the current health of my root system. Obviously, I am no longer feeling that heaviness, but it still doesn’t keep me from remembering the feeling of confusion. I didn’t have wisdom how to navigate that feeling. I just tolerated it.

In our Thursday life group (by the way you are invited to join us), we are studying the book of Proverbs – better known as the book of Wisdom.

Before I came to work last Thursday, I listened to Proverbs 8 a few times. It was the text I would use to create a lesson.

I think we all need to remember it is only God’s wisdom that allows us to prepare for the winter soul seasons coming our way. We are only as strong as our root systems.

Proverbs 8 starts out with what I call parental talk. God cares about our wisdom roots. He longs to prune the dead branches that don’t serve us well. Here we find God giving us a choice. He knows fall and winter will come our way, and we will need His wisdom to make it through. As I read, tell me what you hear God speaking to you:

Does not wisdom call?
Does not understanding raise her voice?
On the heights beside the way,
at the crossroads she takes her stand;
beside the gates in front of the town,
at the entrance of the portals she cries aloud:
“To you, O men, I call,
and my cry is to the children of man.
O simple ones, learn prudence;
O fools, learn sense.

I read that and I can’t help but look up and say, “Lord, I know I am simple and can be very foolish at times without your help. Help me hear your wisdom calling me so I can nurture the root system – I desire to have ears to hear what the spirit of God is speaking to this generation.”

Friends, maybe you are looking forward to the new fall season upon us for nothing more than the fun clothes we get to wear, or the fun drinks or food you get at Starbucks in this season. Let’s not forget to crave God’s wisdom that will help us govern our lives in ways we can only dream about.

I also want to give you a bonus prayer scripture – James 1:5

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”

I challenge you to go read Proverbs 8 in its entirety. You won’t be disappointed.