Stripping
Season
By Karen D’Amore
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of
witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us
down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up.”
Hebrews 12:1 (NLT)
A hush befalls summer as it slips
into seasonal slumber. The transition into autumn stimulates my senses into over-drive,
with bursts of brilliant scarlet, crimson and gold dotting the landscape. As
Mother Nature stirs with climatic nuances… the winterization process begins its
descent… one falling leaf at a time. Awed by nature’s cyclic phenomenon, I was
drawn to explore the scientific intricacies of autumn.
Research disclosed that tree roots,
branches and twigs can endure freezing temperatures; however, most leaves are
too fragile and cannot. Plant tissue too fragile to endure the harsh winter
freeze must be sealed off and shed to ensure
a tree’s survival. As the autumn
sunlight decreases, veins transporting sap within the leaves will gradually
close. A separation layer of cells then form at the base of the leaf stem. Once
this layer is complete, the leaf is separated from the tissue that connects it
to the branch…and it falls off. (1)
In the Midwest, autumn reflects
vivid brushstrokes from the paintbrush of God. The landscape - - chameleon-like
in its changing colors - - transforms from lush to barren as trees are stripped
bare of their leaves. Learning of the necessity for the trees to be stripped of
their leaves in order for them to survive drew me to see parallels in the believer’s
spiritual life.
As Christ-followers, we must undergo
a similar stripping process. In order to be “transformed into the likeness of
Christ” (2 Corinthians 3:18b, NIV), there are
attributes from our old self and old life which must be stripped from our
lives. This stripping process is critical to our spiritual survival. God’s
work in His stripping process calls us to discard…not accumulate. He spurs us
to toss ungodly traits or habits, purge impure thoughts, put off carnal
attitudes and repent of sin. “You were taught, with regard to your former way
of life, to put off
your old self…” (Ephesians 4:22a, NIV).
Just as nature eventually replaces
leaf-stripped autumn trees with new leaves, we must replace our stripped away
carnal traits, with new Christ-like attributes. “Be made new in the attitude of
your minds…putting on the new self, created to be like God in true
righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:22b).
“Autumn is a symphony of permanence
and change.”
--Bonaro Overstreet (2)
As you succumb to the changing
season, invite spiritual revival. Be stripped for the sake of holiness and be
changed!
GOING
DEEPER:
1. Pray to be stripped of anything
hindering your spiritual growth.
FURTHER
READING:
Married to Dan,
Karen, a retired police officer, currently works as a Manicurist at Craig Berns
Salon and a Foot Care Specialist at Shorehaven Senior Facility. She also serves on the Oakwood Women’s
Ministry Special Events team.
