By Sarah Dugal
This week, as evening lows dipped down to the 40s, more and more leaves turned the radiant shades of a classic New England Fall. From God’s acre to Waveny, New Canaan has begun to brim with crimson and copper. And while our trees’ transformation is beautiful – it’s also wise.
Trees lose their leaves in Autumn for a number of reasons; however, there are two parallels to our lives of faith that feel particularly profound this season.
First, trees lose their leaves in the necessary pursuit of conserving energy. Rather than funneling water and resources to their many leaves, in their dormant state, trees are given the time and space to slow their metabolic process and redirect their valuable energy to expanding their roots. In other words, for a season, trees forsake what can be seen on the outside to tend to what lies under the surface. When the world is most dark & barren, trees focus on their foundation.
In a society that values our productivity and rewards busyness, as evident by my own color-coded calendars and overcommitments, it’s hard to let go of all the things we’re juggling externally to invest in our internal health – mental, emotional & spiritual. We tend to value our leaves over our roots, prioritizing what we’re doing over who we’re becoming. What might it look like this season to give ourselves permission to redirect more energy to the foundations of our lives – to our relationship with God, with our families, and with ourselves, knowing that’s what really supports us?
It’s no secret that, already, this Fall has been difficult for our country & our communities. Many of us feel that our socio-political climate is very dark & barren indeed. What better time to return our focus to the foundation of our faith – which is the pursuit of loving God and loving others as ourselves – than right now? And even more, what would it look like to refuse to see others as any less than the root of who they are: a beloved child made in God’s image?
Secondly, trees lose their leaves in an act of letting go and making room. As colder months approach, trees release the weight of their leaves in order to bear the weight of ice and snow to come. If they didn’t, the combination of both would be too much to carry, and their branches would break. Trees have this stunning way of knowing their limits.
This Fall, what might it look like to let go of something weighty? Maybe there is a burden that we’re ready to share with someone, whether with a friend, mentor, pastor or counselor. Maybe we’re ready to extend forgiveness for a wrong that we’ve long carried with us. Maybe we are ready to release ourselves from the heavy expectations of others, and instead embrace the truth that God sees us, knows us, and loves us, just as we are.
As our trees focus on their foundation and release the weight of having to hold everything up, may we follow suit, knowing the same God who made the trees made us, and is there to help us, embrace us, and walk with us through it all.
Sarah Dugal serves as the Area Director for Young Life in New Canaan. Young Life is a global, Christian non-profit that exists to reinforce that adolescents matter through relational youth ministry, create approachable spaces for students to explore faith, and model servant leadership in local communities. To learn more, visit NewCanaanYoungLife.Org.
