By Pastor Bridget Sheely
Co-Pastor of Prairieland
Parish
Fall – to lose the old, to have its proper place. This is just part of the many definitions of what the dictionary says “fall” is. What I find fascinating is that the dictionary is talking about fall like “I fell down,” not fall like “the season” and yet how appropriate the definition is.
I love fall!! The color change, the weather change, the smell change… its about change. But to change means that something must go. As I look at all the trees, I see it happening right now. What was once a tree deep in rich green, turning to trees with vibrant shades of red and orange, soon becoming trees that will be empty. Nothing left but the branches. I guess our human side finds that sad and we wish the color stayed, we think the only thing that makes the tree beautiful is the colorful leaves. But for every beginning there is an end and for every ending there is a new beginning. What I find amazing is that those trees still stand. Those branches still reach out and upward. There is beauty in the strength of those branches. This is a perfect picture of what Jesus does in our lives. We go through all kinds of seasons. Some are seasons of hard times, some loneliness, seasons of loss or other things such as financial hardships. And those seasons change us. We have seasons that are bright and beautiful and rich in life. Then we have seasons that He allows things in our life to enter so that we don’t remain the same. But through all those seasons He is telling us to let go and let Me. Let go and let me show you what I can do. Let go and let me show you what I can teach you… There is strength in your branches with Me. Folks, we have to let go in order to grow a new perspective. Isaiah wrote in chapter 43 verses 18-19 (NRSV) – “18 Do not remember the former things or consider the things of old. 19 I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth; do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” Friends, we cannot continue in our walk with Jesus and never let go. We must go through these seasons so that we continue to learn to surrender our control and in the process, we desire to be more like Him, to trust Him more, to fall in love with Him more. He did not create us to still look the same this season as the next season. The Bible is clear on that. And I know that total surrender is hard. But that is because total surrender means giving up control of our hearts, our souls and our minds. We cannot hold on to parts of us and say we have surrendered. God wants all of us. Change happens in us and through us. You see, much like the tree and the branches. He says let go of it and I will hold you. God knows the depths of your world. He knows the depths of your hurt, the depths of your fear, the depths of your insecurities, the depths of your loss but He promises if you let it go, He will bring new life and you will be a vessel ready to be used by your creator. Our relationship with Jesus is worth more than just a part of us… let go and let God! And remember letting go is much like the leaves that will fall this autumn… it is a sign of what is to come. Surrender means to give up oneself into the power of another. So today… whatever part your still holding on to… surrender it… and allow God to bring newness of life.
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