Journal #9
As autumn intensifies, the mountains
become God’s fireworks. Blanketing peaks, valleys, and ridges, the trees of
upstate South Carolina are transforming from their summer green to the
explosive colors of fall. Red, orange, and yellow leaves mimic fire-engines and
jack-o-lanterns, and their brilliance leaves me awestruck. Unlike the lively beauty
of spring, though, the splendor of autumn leaves comes from a passing, not a
growth. Though striking and admirable, the leaves that highlight our fall skies
are dying.
I was studying in the library when my
mind captured the thought. Through the window, I could see the leaves quivering
in the wind, and occasionally one would lose strength and fall from its source
of life. How stirring, I thought. Beauty was the result of death. For the tree
to survive, it was shedding its worn clothes and preparing for a new season of
growth. What would happen if the tree refused to discard its worn-out leaves,
or if it didn’t rest during the winter months of stress? It would die. Without
change, the tree would never live and fulfill its purpose. Death was necessary
for life.
Like a tree, some things in our
lives must change in order to be who God desires us to be. Why do we cling to
the things of old, continually cherishing them as if they help us live? Our
vices—and even our virtues—will kill us if we refuse to give them to God. God
knows the ins and the outs of change. He sees the great spring in the end, and He
knows exactly what needs to die so that the fruits of the Spirit can live. We
cannot have both. I often find myself refusing to allow an old, useless leaf of
my soul to die, and then I wonder why I cannot seem to grow. I can’t grow
during these times because the old is in the way of the new. Like Paul said, “Therefore,
if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, and
look, new things have come.” Even if we
do not know what those new things are, Christ has promised that they will come.
If we give our lives to God, He will grow us into the new creations that He
intends us to be, and as our flesh passes away, it will be more beautiful and
stirring than a mere tree will ever be.
A tree doesn’t lose its leaves in a
day. It gradually changes until the job is complete. For a time it is barren,
and then the new growth blossoms into spring. We cannot become discouraged
during times of change. Old passes away and new is birthed, but it will not be
in an instant. Our seasons may be long and wearisome, and our souls will likely
long for the months of spiritual winter to be finished. One day, though, the
preparations will be complete. Our souls will be ready, and our new will light
up our lives. Until then, though, we must be encouraged by the beauty in every season.
Whether in growth or in refinement, God has made a way for our lives to be
transformed into pleasing vessels of grace, fellowship, and worship.
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