Growing up in Florida, I never really experienced the true change of seasons.
So when my family and I moved from Florida to Webb City a year ago, we were excited to experience a true cycle of seasons in the Midwest. Last fall, during my commute, I watched the trees slowly transform from their usual green to breathtaking shades of red, orange, and yellow. It was like driving through a living Bob Ross painting every day. As I witnessed this transition, I realized that this period of fading and, ultimately, death, was no “happy little accident.”
In Florida, the seasons range from very hot, hot, pretty hot, to slightly less hot. As cool as it would be to see palm trees in fiery reds and burnt oranges, nothing ever really dies. Sounds wonderful, right? It is, in many ways. But I can’t help but think that Florida might be missing out on something:
A yearly, physical reminder that a life of faith includes both moments of growth and moments of death.
Not a physical death, but a spiritual one. One that leads to growth. Paul talks about this in Colossians 3:12-13.
Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.
Colossians 3:12-13
Paul starts his statement with some pretty strong language. “Put to death” is a call to completely dissociate with a sinful way of living – to leave it behind. Bury it. Walk away from it, never planning to return.
Following this abrupt call, Paul then uses a different analogy. “You have taken off your old self…and have put on the new self.”
My wife and I have three amazing kids, and our second-born, Owen, is three years old. He has an obsession with changing his clothes. It’s not because he’s worried about spills or stains, but because he finds it fun to dress himself. You never know how he’ll emerge from his room. Some days, Spider-Man graces our home; other times, he shows off his unique style—backward pants, an outgrown tank top, and a beanie pulled just low enough to almost cover his eyes.
Paul reminds us to put off the old and put on the new, like preparing for the day. It’s not just about getting dressed physically, but also spiritually—waking up and clothing ourselves in holiness. Before pouring that first cup of coffee, spend time asking the Lord to clothe you with love, with peace. And just as important, ask Him to strip away what doesn’t belong: the bitterness, greed, and sin that, as Hebrews says, “so easily entangles.”
Going back to my morning commute last fall. As I drove through the dead leaves scattered on the road, I saw a picture of the constant pruning the Lord wants to do in my life. Just as trees shed their leaves to make room for new growth, God was calling me to shed my old self, to make room for something better, to experience a season of dying to self, and to anticipate the season of growth that would follow.
For spring to bloom in full, the ground and trees must first undergo a season of death. It’s necessary to make room for something better, something more abundant.
It’s the death within us that leads to the most beautiful life.
So…let the leaves fall.
Mikey Sackrider
Mikey is a part of our Christ’s Church family and serves as a Creative Programmer at our Impact ministry partner, Christ In Youth. He is also married to Tara, who serves on our staff as Guest Services Director.
Mikey is pictured here with his wife, Tara, and children, Olivia, Owen, and Ellie.
