I tried to compile a list of memorable events that happened in this month and weave them into an acrostic poem. Here is the result:
Silent breezes stir the cooling air,
Early autumn whispers everywhere.
Pilgrims set sail, their journey begun,
Two towers fell, beneath September’s sun.
Einstein revealed E=mc² in a September,
Martin’s March on Washington we remember.
Britain’s WWII began in September’s haze,
Egypt and Israel signed peace in those days.
Remembrance and hope in September reside.
It amazed me to see that themes of war and trying to gain peace in the Middle East, discrimination and inequality, exploration, terrorism and scientific invention appear to be timeless. These issues are still making headlines today. Have we not learnt anything at all? Does history just have to keep repeating itself like a hamster in a treadmill?
September is a month of subtle changes in the natural world but a season of beginnings in the human world with new terms and classes and contracts.
However we try to start afresh, our old nature and failings come back to haunt us. We may try to turn over a new autumnal leaf, the colour may change but underneath it all we are the same flawed beings.
Good news! It doesn’t have to be like this. History doesn’t need to keep on repeating; we can break the cycle. And there is no cost to us. All we need to do is come to God, apologise for the mistakes we have made, thank Him for the forgiveness available as a result of Jesus’ death and ask Him to send His Spirit to make us new.
Step forward with courage, letting go of doubt, every sunrise a promise that new growth will sprout.