Consider the Leaves
“Listen to this, O Job; stand and consider the wonders of God.”
— Job 37:14
Welcome, Fall.
Many of us look forward to the changing season and the changing of the leaves that brings the beauty and artistry of God on full display.
Living in the Great Smoky Mountains, I am reminded every year of this natural wonder. People flock from all over the country just to come and see the beauty of the mountains in the fall.
But have you ever really considered the changing of the leaves?
It is truly a biological wonder.
As the days become shorter and temperatures begin to drop, the trees begin to prepare for winter.
And if you read Job 37, you will understand that none of this happens by chance. Elihu points Job again and again to the workings of God in nature—the weather, the clouds, the wind, the cold—and then tells him to stop and consider the wonders of God.
The changing leaves are one of those wonders.
As fall approaches, trees begin producing less chlorophyll.
As you know, chlorophyll is what gives leaves their green color.
Eventually, the production of chlorophyll stops, and the green color of the leaf begins to decrease.
As the green fades away, the yellows and oranges that were already there become visible, while other processes bring about the beautiful reds that we marvel at in autumn.
At the same time, the tree begins to seal off the base of the leaf stem, gradually reducing the flow of water and nutrients to the leaf. Eventually, the leaf falls.
But there is more happening here than beautiful fall color.
God has designed the tree this way for its preservation through the winter months. With fewer leaves to maintain, the tree requires less water and energy during a season when both may be harder to come by.
The tree is preparing for a season of less.
And sometimes, so are we.
“And the LORD will continually guide you,
And satisfy your desire in scorched places,
And give strength to your bones;
And you will be like a watered garden,
And like a spring of water whose waters do not fail.”
— Isaiah 58:11 NASB
Like the changing seasons around us, some seasons of life leave us in drought.
They may come through testing, hardship, grief, loss, waiting or simply a season that seems long and difficult to endure.
But our gracious God promises that He will meet us even in those dry places.
His sustenance may be strength. Or His provision might be rest.
As the tree begins preparing for winter long before winter actually arrives,
the growth season gives way to a season of dormancy and rest.
But dormant does not mean dead. The tree is very much alive.
God has simply designed it to function differently… for a season.
Sometimes God’s tender care is found in seasons of rest, restoration and simply being still with Him.
He may be strengthening us through His Word, through prayer and worship, through godly friendships or simply through time spent in His presence.
God may be doing an internal work, like the tree, that we cannot see; preparing us for the season ahead.
The God who designed the tree to survive winter also knows when we need to conserve, withdraw, rest, and be sustained for whatever we may walk through.
So, this fall, when you see the colors changing across the trees, take a moment to really look at them. Remember the intricate design and workings and know that you and I are wonderfully made as well by our Creator who knows what we need.
Consider the leaves.
And as Elihu told Job:
Stand and consider the wonders of our mighty God.
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