We finally finished the last bit of our raking for the fall. Most of the trees had shed their leaves in a timely manner, except the oaks. In fact some oaks will tenaciously cling on to their brown limp leaves throughout the winter. Why do they do that? The crumpled leaves no longer feed the tree by creating nourishment from the sun. They no longer exhale oxygen. Yet there they hang dry, lifeless, adding neither beauty nor function. They are a sad reminder of former days when they were supple, green and served a life giving purpose.

As I ask the question of the oaks, why do they hang on to what is no longer lifegiving, suddenly the question points inward. Why do I hang on to things, some role, some pattern or practice which has outlived its usefulness? It may have served a purpose in its season but has that season gone by? Is it time to shed those leaves? 

As I ask the question of the oaks, why do they hang on to that which no longer has life in it, the question also points outward. Why do churches hang on to practices and patterns that have outlived their usefulness? They may have had the vibrancy of Christ’s life flowing through them at one time, but has the season passed? Is it time to shed those leaves? 

Leaf shedding is hard. Leaf shedding often brings sadness. I am still identifying, and with God’s help, addressing patterns and practices even from childhood that served the function of getting by. Hanging on to these often hidden patterns keeps me from developing mature life-exchanging relationships. As a parent, I quickly learned that what “worked” with one child is not necessarily transferable to the next. A new set of leaves was needed to bring love and life to that unique child. Today our youngest moved out. After unexpected comings and goings from our other children and their families throughout Covid, this feels final. So the leaves of children, even adult children in the home need to slowly be released to make room for what is new and next. We can’t always see this or do this on our own.I am so grateful for the help I receive from others to undertake this difficult process. Time to shed those leaves in order to receive what breathes life. 

As we gather as a church, are there patterns and practices that once carried the life of Christ and the breath of the Spirit that have since become dry and crusty? It is easier to tenaciously cling on to old leaves, convincing ourselves that they will turn green and supply life exchanging vibrancy once again; that program, that style of worship, that model. It “worked” before, surely if we hang on and reimplement it, it will work again. Just as the crumpled oak leaves will never return to their former state, it may be time to release the old to make room for the new.

Some things do not change. Like the oak, the roots, trunk and branches remain, and there is life in them even in a season of dormancy. These distinguish it as an oak. The power of the gospel, the centrality of Christ, the life of the Spirit, the truth of God’s word, the call to be light and salt in this world, these and many other features remain. These distinguish us as the Body of Christ.

Our identity, our value and the image of God within remain. These distinguish us as His unique creation, as His children.

The leaves come and go.

What about you? Are there areas of your life that resemble brown oak leaves? Is it time to ask God to help you let them go in order to make room for that which brings growth and life? What about your expressions and practices as the Body of Christ? Is there really life exchange happening in your worship, in your small groups, in your Sunday services, in your life outside the walls of the church? Is it time to ask God how He would like to express Himself through new leaves?

Remember not the former things,

Nor consider the things of old.

Behold, I am doing a new thing:

Now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?

I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.  Isa.43:18-19 

You have put off the old self with its practices

and have put on the new self which is being renewed in knowledge

after the image of its creator.  Col.3:9-10