A lesson from the Trees

“Seasons come and seasons go.” Many of us have said those words at some point in our lives, and for some people the passing seasons are reminders of what has been, but is not current reality, and may never be again. This can lead us to clutch the past and to be despondent. We may even lose hope rather than to be present and glean from all that today has to offer, while looking to the future with the eyes of faith, ready to join with Christ in what he has for us. We think and act like what is to come simply won’t measure up, but perhaps a look at nature, especially the trees, can help us pass through the seasons of the year and our lives with a different perspective; one that better matches Paul’s instruction to the church at Philippi.

“¹⁰ I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, ¹¹ and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.¹² Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. ¹³ Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, ¹⁴ I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.¹⁵ All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.¹⁶ Only let us live up to what we have already attained” (Philippians 3:10-16, NIV)

Fall is the season of brilliant color as the leaves change from the green of summer to a profusion of reds, oranges, and yellows. Trees have a sense of time and know that the new season is approaching based on the length of the days and the temperature. What if they were to hang on to their green leaves, refusing to prepare for what is to come? Quite simply, they would die.

Each year, a tree’s leaves turn color signaling to insects and fungi that this would not be a good place for them to take up residence. It is a sign of health, as is the subsequent shedding of leaves before winter. In fact, the timing of movement from green to color then color to disposal is important. Premature loss may result in insufficient nutrients to last the winter, but a late discard may mean they aren’t ready when the storms come; dropping leaves is the way trees get rid of the substances they no longer need and look forward to their time of rest during the cold months. Adapting to seasons and new varieties of insects is the way trees live for so long and is a sign of their maturity.

Paul challenges us to continue to mature in our faith and to press on. Like trees who have arrived at their current size and age, adapted to circumstances, and prepared for tomorrow, we are to be people who continue to adjust and develop. Sometimes this is relatively simple or easy, but there are periods when changing and shedding are more complex and difficult. To remain healthy and strong, we can learn to be present every day of life, attentive to each experience, so that we can know Christ better, and press on to the goal. Let’s learn a lesson from God’s creation of trees and thank Him for our changing seasons!*

*Information on trees is taken from The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben

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