True Colors
By Pastor Nick

Have you been enjoying the beautiful blanket of colors covering our NY and PA hillsides this Fall? I wondered this week, exactly what does happen when leaves change their colors? According to Carl E. Palm, Jr., faculty of the SUNY school of Environmental Science and Forestry at Syracuse, the green color in the leaves most of the year comes from a chemical called chlorophyll, used in the tree’s food making process. But in a green leaf are also “yellow and orange pigments, carotenes and xanthophyll pigments, which, for example, give the orange color to the carrot. Most of the year these colors are masked by great amounts of green coloring.” When fall comes, the trees stop making food, and the chlorophyll breaks down, allowing the other colors to appear in all of their splendor.
The colors were there all the time, but they were hidden by a mask of green. According to Dr. Palm, “Temperature, light, and water supply have an influence on the degree and the duration of fall color.” Cold nights that are just above freezing, combined with enough fall rain will make for the most intense and brilliant colors.
I wonder, when is the best time to see the true colors of a Christian? Many of us wear masks every day in our lives. We hide the best parts of ourselves from the world. We live in selfish isolation, keeping our gifts to ourselves. Like trees that need to feel the impending doom of winter to show their beautiful reds, yellows and oranges, I see many Christians don’t really explore the depths of their faith until a family or personal crisis arises. Events like the death of a loved one, a family emergency, or perhaps facing one’s own illness or infirmity force us to live at a deeper level. It is here that we find our patient, loving God waiting to strengthen us and renew our souls.
Fall is special because the trees unveil their surprising colors for only a few days a year. But I wonder, what would it look like if Christians let down their masks and showed their “true colors” every day? Give your family, your friends, and your neighbors your best and your brightest this week. Don’t let the glory of God be hidden! Show the world what you’ve got!