When you think of something fading, it typically implies something growing old or wearing out. For instance, my hair color is fading. I need to get it touched up. The new car smell is fading in my SUV. It’s getting some miles on it. The paint is fading on the house. Time to spend some money. You get the idea. Things in this world fade. Your cool new phone was the latest and greatest for about five minutes and then they came out with a new model. Ugh! It’s just life in this world. Things aren’t shiny for very long. It doesn’t take long for whatever “it” is to lose its luster. But what about God’s idea of fading? Is fading always a bad thing? What about the sun when it’s setting? The pink and purple hues wrapped up in pearlescent tones. That’s a beautiful fading end to a day. 

What about things fading in your life? I’m not talking about personal appearance here. I’m talking about heart issues that make up the core of who you are. Were there habits in your life that used to control you until The Lord stepped in? Were you quick tempered? Were you easily tempted by “whatever”? I think if we’re being honest, we all have those traits in our lives. They might raise their ugly heads from time to time, but they’re not controlling you daily anymore. These habits are fading away and that’s a good thing. You’re learning to let God lead you instead of this world. “So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then.” ‭‭(1 Peter‬ ‭1‬:‭14‬ ‭NLT‬‬) God puts in us the power to overcome earthly traps that try to pull us away from His best. That’s great news! We don’t have to do it ourselves. “Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.” (‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭3‬:‭20‬ ‭NLT‬‬) You may not notice the work on a daily basis, but you let a year go by and evaluate where you are compared to where you used to be. Wow! You totally see God’s hand moving and rearranging. You may not respond the same way to a certain situation as you used to. 

What about our desires? Do we crave the world’s temporary shiny offerings or do we crave imperishable treasures that come from The Lord? I think the longer we walk with God, the more we realize that only He offers true life. Your old cravings fade and are replaced slowly but surely by what God wants for you. Again, He’s doing this in you. You don’t have what it takes to want what He wants for you. However, when The Holy Spirit starts controlling your will and steering your mind and heart toward the things of God, you start lining up with God’s thought process. “And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.” (‭‭1 John‬ ‭2‬:‭17‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

The amazing news is this – even though we physically die to this world, we live spiritually forever. Jesus has promises for us that will never fade. His Word stands true forever. So you see, fading is multifaceted. There’s always a story in the fading. There’s always much happening in the fading itself. “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5‬:‭17‬ ‭NLT‬‬) It’s true that “things” in this world fade and they’re not as beautiful anymore. Then, for the new person emerging in The Lord, there’s abundant beauty in the fading.

Today’s writer is Brandi Crowe. A hairdresser for over 25 years, she is currently the owner of Brandi Crowe salon in Buford, GA. She loves hiking, a good cup of coffee, and spending time with family and friends. Brandi lives in a custom farmhouse with her husband Robby and cat Harold.