The last few weeks in upstate New York have held the most beautiful array of colorful leaves displaying God’s glory at its finest. In fact, I have found them breath-taking, especially with the many yellow and red trees. I thought about the life cycle of the leaves throughout the four seasons and some parallels with our lives and our faith.
When we first come to know about Jesus and start that personal relationship with Him, our faith is like the budding trees in the springtime. We are like newborns in our faith journey, slowly emerging like the new buds.
As time goes on and we grow deeper in faith, we start to flourish more. We become like the summer trees full of lush green leaves as we stand tall and steadfast with Jesus.
Over time, our lives produce more beauty for the Lord, and our sense of community expands. As we participate in more ministries and share the love of Christ with others, our lives become even more beautifully colored, just like the autumn leaves. We each blossom in our own way to form a piece of the Body of Christ.
Watching the autumn leaves fall from the trees symbolizes our life of service to others. We die more to ourselves, like the leaves that fall to the ground, so that Jesus may shine forth as we serve in love.
And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” –John 12:23-24 (ESV)
Jesus knew His ultimate purpose for coming to earth was about to be fulfilled. He was to die on a cross and resurrected three days later, so we would be free of our sin. The sacrifice of Jesus’ life glorified God the Father. The death of Jesus, like when a grain of wheat falls to the earth, yields the greatest fruit for all who come to believe in Him.
Photo courtesy of Javcon117* Creative Commons License (CC BY-SA 2.0)
After the leaves return to the earth, we know that winter will be coming soon. It is a time where everything looks barren, but beneath the snow and ice, we know life is still at work, which we witness when it turns to spring. The same is true in our lives; when we serve one another new life is alive in us. We, too, experience the different seasons in our lives just like the leaves.
Be encouraged this week to…
…praise God for the beauty of the seasons.
…see how you might be of service to others.
…show gratitude to Jesus for laying down His life for you.
…reflect on what season the leaves are currently in your life.
REFLECTION:
What can you do to glorify the Son of Man today?
Who needs some of your fruit in their life?
You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. –John 15:16 (NLT)
