Change Is Coming Part 1

My, Devotion to Him #251

Yellow, red, orange, brown leaves fall from the tree and dances across the porch and driveway. Their bright colors change this area into pure beauty. It’s amazing how fast the leaves have fallen. One day green and the next day they’ve fallen and have turned colors. I love this time. I wish I could give these trees something to prolong this season. Graciously the tree listens to its Maker rather than my foolishness. In order to flourish in the new season, the tree must let go of its decayed leaves. They have performed well for a season, but their time has certainly come to an end.

Autumn is one of the most wonderful times to observe nature. I watch the swirling leaves stirred by the wind, I am reminded that they display an important lesson for all of us to follow suit in a way. The trees don’t stubbornly hold on to their dead leaves, so this is true for how we should act. We shouldn’t hold on to any unnecessary weight in our lives. The old can easily inhibit the new if we allow it. 

Verse Passage: Ephesians 4:31-32 “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” – NIV

How can we do this?

1. Reading God’s Word.

2. Allowing His Spirit to show us the necessary heart changes we need to make.

3. Being willing to shun practices such as bitterness and anger.

4. Asking God to help us to let go of the guilt from the past, the hurt, the pain, and the betrayal. 

The Lord longs to empower and strengthen us for the new season ahead! If we’re not sure of the issues that need a kind and compassionate spirit, He will show us when we ask. And if guilt from the past is preventing this beautiful new season, we have His promises like this one to remember:

Verse Passage: Isaiah 43:18-19 “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” – NIV

However, in order to truly forget the former things we must acknowledge the former things. If we are feeling guilty about something we may have done to someone that has caused harm emotionally, spiritually, physically we need to acknowledge are transgressions. It is the only way we can improve and properly transition into our new season of growth, change, and newness. We will remain unchanged if we can never admit what we have done was wrong, or acknowledge pain and hurt we have caused someone. We will constantly be in a rebellious state of denial and we shall remain a tree clinging to decay in a forest of beautiful changes taking place around us. 

Maybe someone has done you wrong and you are harboring anger, resentment, hate, etc. We can forgive those that have hurt us while at the same time safe guarding ourselves against them which would allow us to open up those scars and truly allow the Lord to bring about a radical healing into your life. 

What are you holding on to that is preventing a freshness to the season ahead? Could it be that the decayed leaves are piling up and your heart needs to discard them for good? If so, why not reach out to the Lord in prayer? He longs to hear from you. Ask Him to shine light on any thoughts, circumstances, habits or other “decayed leaves” you might be clinging too. As you watch the leaves fall this season, our prayer is that you are reminded to let go of anything that would hinder a fresh relationship with God.

God bless!

Copyright © 2020 by Jacob Olinger