Fall: the favorite season of so many. I have always loved fall and although it has become a bit of a cliche, I still do. There's just something about it that I find intriguing and exciting.
Stepping out of the old
Means you've got to be bold
It takes courage, you see
To finally use your wings
And fly toward change
Letting God rearrange
Everything in your life
Created for such a time
To step out of the old
And into the new
Now here you are...
It's your season to bloom
-KBT original
In this season, it's not just the promise of cozy sweaters, bonfires, and hay rides that I look forward to (although I love all of these things!). It's the metaphor of the term "fall" where leaves begin to fall off the trees and flowers begin to wilt. That is what intrigues me the most. Why? Doesn't that mean things are dying? Yes and no. Perception is everything and I believe that Fall symbolizes more than just dead things. To me, fall means things are preparing to become new again. The trees are releasing their old leaves and getting ready for the new once spring comes. The flowers are shedding their old buds so that they can grow fresh, new, and beautiful petals. It is a cycle and perhaps the trees and flowers are grateful for the change. They get to shake off the weight of what was old and are granted a season of bareness, a season of stillness. Don't we all need that sometimes? Perhaps we need to learn from the newness of this season and apply it to our lives. How long has it been since you shed the weight you've been carrying? When was the last time you allowed God to make a change in your life, stepped out of the old, and into the new? Perhaps your answer will sound like mine: "It's been a while." That doesn't mean it's too late. Leaves fall off the trees slowly and it may take some time for you to release your burdens and allow God to bring a season of stillness, but He will grant it to you...if you listen to Him and are willing to let go of the old.
What does it look like to step "out of the old"? First of all, change is hard, no matter who you are or what kind of change you are making. It's going to take time so be patient. It won't come all at once. You'll notice that change is always a process. The leaves don't change colors in a day. Rather, it takes days/weeks for them to turn. Some trees turn before others and some may take until winter. But what a change when it finally happens! The trees are arrayed with the beauty of different colors, but it took time for them to get there. You may not find change to be as quick as you hope. The preparation period may take longer than expected. That doesn't mean it won't happen. That doesn't mean the change won't come. You have to stand your ground, just like the trees, until the process is complete. God is constantly working on us and even if we don't want to shake off the weight at first, He will keep working on us until we give it over to Him. Leaves fall slowly-one by one, until there are none left. The burdens you carry, although many, can fall at the feet of Jesus and bring a new beginning. Are you ready to get out of the old? What has been holding you back from making a change in your life?
Our lives are a work in process, meaning it will take time for beautiful things to emerge. Here are a few steps in the process that God will guide you through:
1. Trust: Before change can come, you have to trust that it will be good. It won't feel good at first, but it will be worth it when you trust God with your heart and life.
2. Release: You have to let go of some old things before the new can come. Release the grip you still have on your life and the control you seek. Let go and let God have complete control.
3. Praise: Be thankful for what God has already given you and for what is still to come. Come before Him in a spirit of humility and worship and He will bless you.
Change is never an easy process, but it's something you can look back on in 5+ years and say, "I thank God for the change He made in my life." Why are you stuck in the same old, same old? Perhaps it's time to get rid of the old. Die to self and allow Jesus Christ to prepare you to become new once again. He can renew your heart and your mind. Are you ready for the dead things to fall? Give your life over to God. It's never too late to make a change. You can't do it on your own, but Jesus will be with you every step of the way.
His plans are so much greater than anything we could ever imagine, but if we remain stuck in the same spiritual place, there is so much we will miss. God's blessings could be found in between the old and the new. Don't you know Jesus is always working the best for you?
2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV)-Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Romans 8:28 (KJV)-And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called, according to His purpose.