Seeing God in the Colors of Autumn

Of all the things we look forward to this time of year, the colors of autumn are high on the list. They evoke hope for a blessed time of change and the fulfillment of another spring. Depending on where you live, the colors of autumn may come from the traditional sources of pumpkins, leaves and apples or like us here in Florida, from sunsets that trade in their pinks and purples of summer for the warmth of orange and yellow.

No matter where your fall color comes from, I think you’re going to love seeing how the color psychology, as well as spiritual meanings for seasonal favorites, Crimson, Orange, Gold and Brown tell a deeper story about our God. Grounding ourselves in scripture provides stability in a season of change.

Finding God in nature and seeing divinity in the symbols of the season makes for a great mindfulness exercise and spiritual growth tool!

The exercise is simplistic in nature!

• Read through this post in full and print out the Mindfulness Exercise guide at the bottom of this post.

• Work to understand the color meanings.

• Reflect on how these 4 colors relate to what you know about God. How do the color meanings, both in and out of alignment with the Gospel, reflect God’s love story with you? And all of humanity?

• When you notice the colors of autumn throughout your day, mindfully reflect on their meaning in your relationship with God.

• Thank God for always being near,and always working in your life.

I think you’ll find you have instinct for this kind of thing! After all, “since the creation of the world, God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made (Romans 1:20)”.

 

Colors of Autumn: Crimson

Energy, Passion and Love

Fire

Humanity and Physicality, especially Blood

Shame and conversely, Redemption

Angst, Rage and Violence

The color meaning of Crimson overlaps with that of Red in symbolizing blood, redemption, fire, power, and love. This color family symbolizes extremes and is associated with primal life forces. Crimson’s positive energy and passion can also express anger, shame and frustration.

From a Jesus Follower perspective, your mind probably went straight to the blood of Christ at just the mention of the word crimson. Of all the colors of autumn, this one probably feels the most personal. The most spiritually charged. Don’t skip over that! In the season of fall, the leaves change and fall from the tree. When they meet the soil, it is nourished, allowing for new growth in the spring. The poetic symbolism of this autumnal crimson color and the exchange Jesus made on the cross so that we might live is a perfect place to begin seeing God in nature this season.

When opposed to the gospel, crimson invokes shame, violence, angst and frustration. As part of the red color family, it may also evoke alarm, and a sense of fear and danger.

When aligned with the gospel, crimson symbolizes redemption. In place of alarm, we find refreshing and merciful patience. We see that Jesus lowered himself from his status and by pouring himself out, filled us up with eternal measure. All fear of curse and death removed; we are redeemed as God’s own.

Seeing God in the Meaning of the Color Crimson

Use these verses to help you redeem any negative connotations with the color red. May you remember God’s good gifts in the meaning of the color crimson and these verses!

Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord. ~ Acts 3:19

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. ~2 Peter 3:9

Though He was in the form of God, He chose not to cling to equality with God; But He poured Himself out to fill a vessel brand new; a servant in form and a man indeed. ~ Philippians 2:6-7

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.” ~Galatians 3:13

I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the Morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you.” ~ Isaiah 44:22

Colors of Autumn: Orange

Optimism and hope

Deep understanding

Freedom, shaking off repression

Motivation and enthusiasm

 

Orange combines the energy of Red and the joy of Yellow to create positive momentum. It helps assimilate new ideas and leads to greater tolerance. Orange is freeing of the body and mind and supports deeper understanding of what is needed to maintain optimum physical health.

When aligned with the gospel, orange encourages contentment in all circumstances, unshakable joy and hope for the future.  When in opposition to the gospel, the color orange symbolizes manipulative intent, pride, arrogance and desire for mastery over others.

Seeing God in the Meaning of the Color Orange

Use these verses to help you redeem any discomfort with the color orange. May you remember that God provides us with wisdom, complete freedom and every reason for being optimistic. 

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. ~ Romans 15:13

I am free to be glad in all of my days! ~ PSALM 118:24

Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe Pasture. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. ~Psalm 37:3-4

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, And young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. ~Isaiah 40:29-31

being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.                            ~Colossians 1:11-12

 

Colors of Autumn: GOLD

Extravagance and Wealth

Wisdom and Diligence

Love and Light

Cheer

Health and Wellness

Gold symbolizes both logical thought and spiritual discernment, which when combined yield wisdom. Yellow and gold are commonly associated with fire. In the Bible, fire represents the mighty, all consuming presence of God and the Holy Spirit.

In line with the good news of the gospel, gold represents an abundance of spiritual gifts, discernment to see and follow God’s and holistic transformation within his love.

In opposition to the gospel, the meaning of the color gold is broken or false promises, deceit, a distancing of self from God, and succumbing to doubt and negativity.

Seeing God in the Meaning of the Color Gold:

Use these verses to help you replace the more shallow, unfulfilling meanings of the color gold, with God’s love and light. As you see the color gold this season, may you remember the extravagant love of God that fulfills us, bringing radiance to our spirit and health to our mind and body. . 

You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.                ~Psalm 16:11

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. ~John 10:10

In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.          ~John 1:4-5

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. ~John 8:12

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. ~James 1:17

Colors of Autumn: Brown

Earth, Wood and Stone 

Wholesome, of Good Health

Grounded, Steadfast and Reliable

Friendliness and Feeling Connected

Comforts of Home, namely Safety and Sense of Belonging

The color meaning of brown is earthy, rooted connectivity and reliability. Brown has long signified the things of nature as symbols of a healthy sense of being. We long for rich brown soil in our gardens. A person who is well rooted has a strong base and sense of belonging, they don’t waiver in life’s storms because their foundation is strong.  In this way, brown signifies feelings of home, safety, warmth, wholesomeness and a sense of belonging.

Apart from God, however, brown can feel dull or dirty. It can signify a grappling for stability in the midst of change, brokenness, loneliness or feeling like we’re on the outside. Can you picture a person clawing for stability in change and digging for meaning, their fingernails browned with the very dirt that could offer reliable nourishment if they only had roots? It is experiencing this tossing to and fro that often leads us to seek divine assistance!

Seeing God in the Meaning of the Color Brown

If brown has lost its luster, use these verses to help you wash it clean. As you see the color brown this season, may you remember the rootedness available to each of us in Christ, that we no longer topple in life’s storms but stand firm. As part of the body of Christ, we celebrate the connectivity we have within the church. It is this deep peace that grounds us and allows us to offer a feeling of comfort and home to others. May the love of Christ be palpable in us. May we echo God’s call to return to their roots having been created in and through and for him. 

He made the earth by his power; he founded the world by his wisdom and stretched out the heavens by his understanding. ~Jeremiah 51:15

For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. ~Colossians 1:16

Stand firm, and you will win life. ~Luke 21:19

But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do. ~Psalm 1:2-3 (NLT)

For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes.There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. ~Galatians 3:26-28

I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. ~John 15:15

But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be Troubled and do not be afraid. ~John 14:26-27

You may also enjoy, What is Being Grounded? The Jesus Follower’s Guide.

The colors of autumn are so abundant! Seeing God in nature and remembering his love story with humanity is a beautiful way to stay grounded during this season of change. Seeking sacred in our everyday routines makes for a great mindfulness exercise and spiritual growth tool! Being intentional about your thought life is also helpful in setting Sabbath margin as we enter into the busyness of the holiday season. As you notice the colors of autumn, take as many moments as you can to show gratitude to our Creator and grow in love for all he created!

Colors of Autumn Mindfulness Printable

 

The colors of autumn capture our attention! If we can linger in our attentiveness for just a bit longer, we can connect to our Creator with mindful gratitude. When we look at both sides of the colors’ meaning, we can connect what each one signifies; both in alignment with and opposition to the Gospel.

If you approach this exercise prayerfully, I believe the Holy Spirit will commune with you and urge you to remember all God has done and all that is promised for your future.

I hope you are blessed beyond measure in all of your autumn meditations and mindfulness practices!

 

To get this printable, just complete the short form below!

 

Colors of Autumn Mindfulness Printable