A friend recently sent this picture to me as she was travelling. As soon as I saw it, I knew it held a lesson. Two things struck me immediately. First, the color of the leaves that signified a change was happening and second, the winding highway through the mountains.

I know we all enjoy the beauty of fall, but have you ever wondered about the science behind it? Sure, we may remember it has something to do with photosynthesis, but why is it necessary for the leaves to change? As it turns out, the activity of the leaves, as beautiful as it is, is an act of preservation. The yellow and orange pigments that emerge during this season are actually present throughout the year. They are only made visible during the fall when the absence of the green producing chlorophyll makes it possible for them to reveal themselves.

This is where the first lesson begins to hit close to home. In the summer season, leaves are green, vibrant and alive. All seems well as you gaze up at the full branches. However, when hardship, trial, adverse circumstances, or even a long season of waiting descends, what is buried beneath the vibrancy of green begins to surface. Sometimes it is a sinful habit you haven’t quite overcome. Other times, it is a revelation of long-held doubt or fear. Either way, these things don’t surface until the days are shorter and the sun seems to hide.

The lesson gets a little deeper with the realization that the beauty we behold in fall is for the protection of the tree itself. If the leaves don’t change color, they won’t fall. If they don’t fall, the weight of the ice and snow in winter will prove too much and branches will eventually break and damage the tree.

Do you see the metaphor? In the midst of those adverse circumstances or that long period of waiting, the Father is offering His protection. It is an opportunity to cast off the harmful, hidden aspects within our hearts so that we can weather the future without damage, so that we can sustain life for another year.

What about that winding road? If the leaves signify change and protection, what does the road say?

Did you notice that you can’t quite see around the curve? As we navigate the seasons of life, we rarely see the whole picture at once. This is where it becomes necessary to trust the Creator of the trees. If He took the time to design the preservation of the trees, surely He will sustain His most prized creation. In fact, Matthew 6:30 says, “And if God cares so wonderfully for the wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?” (NLT).

The truth is, the changing of the seasons and a long winding road, require trust and surrender. Just as the leaves must succumb to the patterns of nature, so must we surrender to the Father’s will and timing, even when the path isn’t completely visible. We must trust Him enough to keep driving curve after curve and know that He will care for us.

So as you sip your apple cider and nibble a piece of pumpkin bread this fall season, ask yourself, do I trust Him? Will I fully surrender to His ways? Will I choose to follow in nature’s footsteps and trust the Creator?

-Liz