Forfeiting Our Leaves

by Taylor White

And even when the trees have just surrendered
To the harvest time.

Forfeiting their leaves in late September
And sending us inside.

Still I notice You when change begins
And I am braced for colder winds.

I will offer thanks for what has been and what's to come
You are autumn.
(Lyrics from “Every Season” by Nicole Nordeman)

I take in a deep breath of the cool, crisp morning air as I sit down to write. Even though I can’t fully explain why, it’s starting to feel like Autumn. I love experiencing season changes through the senses. The smells and sounds signal that something different is happening. I watch for migrating Monarchs, the shade grass to green up and pumpkins as they begin to appear by the load on street corners and front porches. But my most anticipated sights are the leaves transforming into shades of orange, red, yellow and purple. I wish the trees could permanently display that warm color palette, but I know this too, will change. In another month or so, the leaves will fall, and winter will usher itself in.

I love the way the lyrics above describe the trees as “forfeiting their leaves.” They are willingly, intentionally letting go of their leaves as they anticipate colder temperatures. It’s true, in a sense, that trees actually do willingly forfeit their leaves. In this process called abscission, a group of cells work to break the leaf stem from the branch. The tree is essentially cutting off its own leaves. It must shed its leaves in order to survive a cold winter, with new growth to come in the spring.

Maybe we also need to forfeit some of our own leaves. Maybe some of the old thought patterns, habits and sins need to be intentionally cut off. If we don’t do the hard work of cutting it off, sin can tend to just hang around. We might get used to it being there (we may even enjoy it), but it could lead to death. This process of shedding leaves can be painful, can make us feel exposed or bare. But God doesn’t ask us to drop our leaves just to leave us bare. He is working through those winter months, changing us and preparing us for new growth—new leaves and new fruit.

Ephesians 4:22-24 says, “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”

Colossians 3:5 says, “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature.” Then verse 12 tell us: “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”

Jesus was put to death so that we could live. And our old selves have to die in order for us to have new birth, a new life in Jesus. And we are not called to die to self just once, but to take up our crosses daily and follow Jesus.

So, what old leaves have you been hanging on to for too long?

We can trust that as we let them go, the Creator will grow something new in us and use it all for His glory and our good.

Author Bio
Taylor works as a physician’s assistant in Oklahoma City and is also passionate about serving and edifying the local Church. She is the wife of Council Road's Groups Pastor, Micah White, and mother to Navy and Foster. She most enjoys time with her family but can also be found reading, teaching, making music, hand-lettering and hosting gatherings. She loves a friendly debate and a good laugh.