Understand the Purpose and Beauty of Every Season

Do you know why trees lose their leaves in autumn? After the intense heat of summer, the soil offers less water for plants to draw and nourish themselves, which is why in autumn the leaves begin to lose their color, dry out, and fall. The winter season is used by the plant to store water in its roots, and in spring, when new leaves grow, the respiratory cycle resumes. The change of color and the shedding of leaves in some trees during autumn and winter happens as a protective mechanism. It’s the plant’s response to the reduced amount of sunlight available. In humid times, trees can absorb moisture from the upper parts of the soil, but during drought, only from the depths.

Facing her painful winter, Hannah let the leaves of her reputation fall and sought her strength and sustenance in the right place—in the deep waters of God’s goodness and faithfulness. On one of her visits to the temple, Hannah prayed desperately for her son. She stayed there so long that her strength faded; no sound could express her desire anymore, so she prayed in silence. At that moment, the priest Eli thought she was drunk. But she wasn’t. She was letting go of the leaves of appearances; she no longer cared about how she would be seen, but focused her energy on something far more valuable.

Just as a tree must let go of the superficial and strengthen its roots to survive the change of seasons, we, too, will survive life’s harsh autumns and winters if we are rooted in God—drawing from the deep layers, the nourishment and answers that are not easily accessible on the surface. Jeremiah 17:7–8 (NIV) tells us that blessed is the man—and woman—who trusts in the Lord; they will be like a tree planted by the waters that sends out its roots by the stream. They will not fear when heat comes, for their leaves are always green; they will not be anxious in the year of drought and will never fail to bear fruit.

Hannah went to the right place; as a woman whose trust was in the Lord, she showed that the fruit of her womb would not take the throne of her heart.

So what is the purpose of winter?

• To remind us that without deep roots we cannot bear fruit;
• To remind us where and in whom our trust should be;
• To make us mature enough to say: “God, if You give me the fruit, I will give it back to You!”
• To remind us who the true reward of our lives is!

Reflection:
• If you are currently going through an autumn or winter in your life, what leaves do you need to let go of so you can reserve your energy for what matters?
• Do you consider yourself to have deep roots in God—roots that allow you to endure seasons with little moisture at the surface?
• What crutches may be taking the place of your trust in God?