Falling Leaves (by Cathe Laurie)

“So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you . . . Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him” (Colossians 3:5, 10 NLT).

Embracing Renewal Like Trees in Autumn

Have you ever wandered through a fall forest in the mountains or New England? It’s like stepping into a fairytale! The hillsides explode into a vibrant quilt of yellow, orange, and red. Stand still, and those magical leaves flutter down, practically begging you to catch them mid-air. But does a tree mope about losing its leaves, looking all despondent like it’s auditioning for a sad movie? Hmm, I think not! Those trees are playing the long game, shedding leaves with purpose.

Deciduous trees drop their leaves in autumn as a brilliant strategy for preparation, protection, and restoration. Shedding leaves prepares the trees for winter by conserving water, since frozen ground makes it tough to sip through roots, reducing evaporation from those leafy surfaces. It protects the trees, too—leaves are delicate divas, easily damaged by freezing temperatures or heavy snow that could snap branches. Before leaves fall, trees pull back nutrients, storing them in roots for a springtime comeback. It’s like the tree’s version of meal-prepping for a big growth spurt! This cycle isn’t loss—it’s a purposeful letting go, an adaptation to thrive through changing seasons.

Shedding What Hinders Spiritual Growth

Our spiritual lives need this “fall season,” too. We often cling to comfort, wanting to stay in one cozy season forever. But what looks like loss—letting go of habits, distractions, or even relationships we love—is part of God’s process for renewal and healthy growth. Like a tree shedding leaves, we’re called to release what’s holding us back to make room for new life.

What “leaves” are you clinging to past their season? Old habits like doomscrolling on social media? An ex you keep checking on, hoping for a rom-com ending? Or maybe a path God’s nudging you to abandon? Letting go might sting, but it’s not loss—it’s preparation for the vibrant growth God has planned.

“So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you . . . Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him” (Colossians 3:5, 10 NLT).

I also love the J.B. Phillips translation of these verses: “In so far, then, as you have to live upon this earth, consider yourselves dead to worldly contacts . . . for you have finished with the old man and all he did and have begun life as the new man, who is out to learn what he ought to be, according to the plan of God.”

Making Space for New Growth

What feels like loss to you right now? Pray, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life” (Psalm 139:23-24 NLT). Embrace this autumn vibe—as you don your cute boots and cozy sweater, shed the old with a chuckle, like a tree tossing leaves without a backward glance, and make space for the new growth God’s bringing your way.

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Cathe Laurie is the founder and director of the Virtue women’s ministry. She is also a featured speaker on The Virtue Podcast, at Harvest events, and the author of As I See It. You can find her weekly articles here on harvest.org.