Each one of us is in a ‘season’ in our lives. Yours may be one that involves facing trials or dark depression as during the winter; or a season of age vs. youth or the growing pains of spring; or a season of busy, happy days with comforts and joy like the summer brings; or a season of heavy heartache and visible loss as during the fall.

Today I will focus on the fall: a time of changing weather, temperatures, colors, indoor/outdoor activities, length of days, as well as a change of time. In our own lives, it can mimic a season of change as well: of making mistakes to altering our ways, of failing in a vow to renewing our commitment, of falling down hard to getting back on our feet, of dying to our own desires to living for the Lord.

The truth is, Fall is a process of death and change. We get to appreciate the beauty of this process by seeing the many colors of Autumn. Some leaves’ green color transition to a more bright and vivid shade, then fade to a dull, darker brown. The leaf has served its purpose, so wrinkled from dying, it will fall off the branch, inevitably floating to the ground below.

“Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”
Philippians 4:11-13

When this season of change is happening to you, it can be painful. What is hard to remember while you are in the thick of it is that you need to go through different seasons of life to grow not only physically and mentally, but especially spiritually. Having faith in the Lord that this time is a tool, in which He, if you choose to trust in Him during it, will enable you to learn something valuable, will keep you focused during this period. It is one foot in front of the other, one step at a time. It is knowing that if you fall, He is there to help you back up. It is trusting that if you fail, He is there to encourage you to keep moving forward. Ultimately, the hope is that when you are in the midst of trials, you would shine brightly, displaying God’s goodness as the colors of our fall season.

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
Matthew 5:16

What matters is how you respond and live during this season. Perhaps you can use what you either experience or learn to help others in the similar season or who are approaching it. If in this moment you can endure, and still bless others, then maybe your purpose for being there is fulfilled. Oh, add to that ‘truly enjoying’ said season, could bring even more fulfillment to your determined spirit!!

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” 
Romans 8:28

Let this chapter of your life be read by all as one of letting go of things and of displaying God’s goodness, in preparation for what comes next in your multi-seasonal life. This is how growth happens. Be the tree which knows what to do in each season.

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: 
a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, 
a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, 
a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, 
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, 
a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, 
a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, 
a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. 
What do workers gain from their toil? 
I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race.
He has made everything beautiful in its time.
He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.”
Ecclesiastes 3:1-11

Food for thought: The best form of falling is to our knees in humility before the Holy God.

Fun facts: Only in America do we call it “Fall”. Some fall leaf colors, like reds and purples, are due to sugar trapped in the leaves!

Photo by: Kari Wiseman – Tree shares its Fall colors