Letting Go: A Powerful Lesson from Autumn Leaves

It’s Autumn!

The time of year when the brilliant red, orange and gold leaves waft gently from the trees to the ground. It’s beautiful to see. And it’s also symbolic of letting go.

What do we need to let go of in our own lives?

How can we release or surrender to God the things that are holding us back from a better life?

Here’s a true story about letting go…and a surprising answer:

It was a cold Colorado day in January and the world was covered in white. The morning snowfall had stopped, so I decided to go for a hike in a nearby park.

As I walked along admiring the contrast of the pure white snow on the red orange rocks, I saw something that made me stop in my tracks.

It was a scrub oak tree with dried up leaves still clinging to the branches. “How odd,” I thought, “Why are these brown crunchy leaves still holding on to the tree? Autumn is over! Their season has passed.”

It amazed me how the leaves clung so tightly to the swaying branches—as if their life depended on it. 

Only they were dead.

And then it dawned on me. That’s exactly what I’d been doing in my own life. Like the brown crunchy oak leaves, I’d been holding on to a season that was over; my heart was stuck in the past.

What would it take to finally let go?

I knew I needed to let go, but I just didn’t know how. I knew I needed to forgive this person who had hurt me greatly, but I couldn’t do it in my own strength.

As I stood in the park on that cold, winter day, suddenly a strong wind blew, and to my surprise some of the dead leaves released their stubborn grip from the branch.

At that moment I realized I needed a stronger force to help me release what I was grasping to so tightly. 

I needed the power of the Holy Spirit to blow a fresh wind of God’s POWER into my life and enable me to do what I could not do: Let go. Release. Forgive.

Just like the stubborn leaves that won’t let go of the tree limbs, what do you need to release or surrender in your life?

Worry.
Fear.
Doubt.
Unforgiveness.
Judging others.
Something else…

The good news is that when we let go, God does not leave us empty-handed.

When we let go of the things that hinder our growth, He fills up our hands with His good things.

Ephesians 4:22-24 says:

…put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

Colossians 3:12 reminds us: 

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

What will you choose to LET GO of today, and HOLD ON to?

For more resources by Jackie M. Johnson, check out When Love Ends (on how to get over a breakup) and Praying with Power When Life Gets Tough (topic-based on what to do when going through hard times).

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