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 Foot Care Specialist at Shorehaven Senior Facility. She’s
on the Oakwood Women’s Ministry Special Events planning team.
