FALL
Stars fall from the heavens, Leaves fall from the trees; Rocks fall off mountains, And splash in the seas.
We "fall" in love, We "fall" into sin; We "fall" for Jesus, And live to RISE AGAIN!
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JEFFREE! 10.6.2009
Days of Awe
Fall comes quickly in the Pacific Northwest where I live. Even though it is the prelude to winter's sleep-like death, one cannot help but marvel in the final vibrancy of nature's yellows, oranges, and reds. The wind has a colder sheen that sends a chilly reminder of summer's demise. One cannot help paying attention to these signs from nature and pausing to stand in awe of fall's glory.
While colorful leaves and a colder wind signal for many the beginning of the new school year, the buying of school clothes and supplies, and the beginning of fall, for Jews September is a very important month. It doesn't simply signal the beginning of autumn; it is the signal to worship and to reflect on one's life in the coming year. September contains two of the Jewish high, holy days: Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. In the original language, Rosh Hashanah means "new year" and Yom Kippur means "day of atonement." What do these days entail for Jews? This is a time for serious introspection, a time to consider the sins of the previous year, and repent before Yom Kippur. The ten days starting with Rosh Hashanah and ending with Yom Kippur are commonly known as the Days of Awe (Yamim Noraim) or the Days of Repentance.(1) These "Days of Awe" are filled with wonder and worship, days of reflection, fasting, and prayer, days of solemnity and solace. These are days meant to set the tone for the beginning of the Jewish New Year even as they remind Jews to reflect on what has gone before. Among the customs of this time, it is common to seek reconciliation with people you may have wronged during the course of the year.
Reflecting upon these holidays of faiths outside my own, I realize that September is not a particularly "holy" month for Christians. Yet examining the practices of our Jewish neighbors reminds us to consider each day a day of awe and devotion for followers of Jesus. Indeed, Jesus gave strong instruction to his listeners during the Sermon on the Mount recorded in Matthew's Gospel. Jesus expected that his followers would engage in on-going acts of devotion like fasting, prayer, and almsgiving. In giving instruction about how his disciples would fast he says, "and whenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they neglect their appearance in order to be seen fasting by men" (Matthew 6:16). In this same series of instructions, Jesus also assumes his followers will pray and give offerings for the poor (Matthew 6:2, 5). The issue is not if we will do these devotional acts, but when we do them.
While we may have very different reasons, beliefs, and expectations from our Jewish neighbors, there is something to learn from their special seasons of devotion, which can enrich and even challenge our own Christian practices. So often we neglect or altogether forget that our own acts of devotion should arise out of a loving response to what God has done on our behalves in Jesus. It is not insignificant that Jesus warned those listening to him: "Unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees (the religious leaders of his day), you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:20). Jesus warns that the very intention of our hearts should be drawn to worship and awe, and not simply by performing ritualistic acts of devotion. We may perform various rituals in worship, but these rituals flow out of devotion to God and lead to gracious acts of love and mercy each and every day of the year.
While September is not filled with Christian holy days, shouldn't we, too, see September as an opportunity for days of devotion and awe? The turning of the leaves and the chilly fall air can point us to worship just as they signal the beginning of days of awe for the Jews. Even so, September need not be the only time we turn our hearts to worship. As followers of Jesus, we have the opportunity for perpetual "days of awe" rather than settling for ordinary time.
Margaret Manning is a member of the speaking and writing team at Ravi Zacharias International Ministries in Seattle, Washington.
(1) Details referenced from www.jewfaq.org
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