Hartman column: Like fall's effect on trees, Jesus changes our lives

“Fall,” according to Merriam-Webster, means to move or extend downward, to subside or abate. Interestingly, the dictionary discusses fall as in “one fell” or “to extend downward,” not “fall” as in the season. Yet this definition is fitting.

Perhaps you are witnessing it or will soon see the leaves gracefully descending to the ground. Once a tree adorned in lush green, it now dons a vibrant palette, soon to be a tree left bare. All that remains are the branches.

We may long for the retention of color, believing that the tree’s beauty lies solely in its color. Why does it have to be so stark? Yet, this is a promise of what’s to come: a beautiful transformation.

The transitioning of the trees is a depiction of how Jesus works in our lives. We experience a myriad of seasons, some filled with hardship, loss, and monetary struggles; others filled with joy, peace, and economic gains. These seasons bring about change in our hearts and lives.

Some seasons are vibrant, like the colors of autumn, while others involve challenges that prompt growth, like the freshness of spring. Throughout all these seasons of life, Jesus urges us to release control and let Him take charge. He encourages us to let go and allow Him to demonstrate what He can do and what He can teach. Strength can be found in our connection with Him. We must release our grip and adopt a new perspective to grow.

In every beginning, there is an end; yet the trees endure. The branches persist in pointing upward, steadfast and resilient. Their beauty lies in their endurance. They will survive winter and be adorned with green leaves in the spring.

As Fred Rogers once said, “Often, when you think you’re at the end of something, you’re at the beginning of something else.”

Fall is a beautiful reminder of this truth. Some conclusions are merely the beginning of something more beautiful. Some conclusions shape the believer into a more perfect picture of Christ Jesus in a continuous cycle of growth and renewal.

Isaiah pined the Word of God when he wrote in chapter 43, verse 19, “Behold, I am doing a new thing.” Autumn is one of God’s “new things.” Even though autumn comes yearly, every fall season is different and new. Just like the work of Christ is different and new in each believer. God works in each of us differently to strengthen His temple.

Regardless of the season you find yourself, I urge you to let go, like the falling leaf, and allow God to bring His desired change to your life. You might be basking in the vibrancy of fall, enjoying the beauty of your life. You could be entering the winter season, where the leaves are sparse or nonexistent.

Remember, there remains life in your limbs. Keep lifting your limbs upward, giving gratitude to Jesus for His work in and through you. Have faith that He will bring you to a bountiful spring, once again, with lush green leaves bursting out all over, a promise of a new beginning.

Remember that Jesus works in and through you as you enjoy the autumn. Allow Him to “drop any leaves” that need to “fall.”