My Favorite Tree

I have a favorite tree. And in the fall, the leaves of this giant oak turn a brilliant orange. To me, fall days are the "glory days" of this tree; it just seems to burst with splendor. I will always be baffled by the fact that the radiant leaves on this tree are actually in the process of dying.

I think the trees of the fall season have a lesson for each of us. If these leaves are at their most glorious state in their death, could it be, that we as Christians, exhibit the most glory when we, too, are "dying" to ourselves? I think so. In fact, I know so. Listen to these words of truth:

For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God... you have taken off your old self with its practices and put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator... therefore, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience... (Colossians 3:3,9,10,12).

My friend, if Christ is in you, you have the awesome privilege to experience your most radiant and spectacular "glory days", not just a couple of weeks a year, like my favorite tree, but every day of your life. Yes, (like I have been learning at my home church these past few weeks), I want to be in a perpetual state of dying to live.

So as you enjoy the fall weather and its captivating beauty, let God speak to your heart through His glorious creation. Let's ask ourselves, "What do I need to 'die to', in order that His glory will show radiantly through me?" And then, trust Him to help you do it.

...by the way, I have another favorite tree... the one that bore my dying Savior...