Dwell: Seek God’s Face at HomeSample

A Time for Everything

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.

Ecclesiastes 3:1

I was outside raking—which was hearty exercise and actually felt good—in a warm hoodie and amongst cold breezes. The sky was bright blue; the leaves fluttering down were shades of wine and gold. It was kind of sad that they were at their most beautiful on their way to death.

I picked one up. It had lost its pliable nature and was becoming stiff and crispy. And yet what a way to go out, in a blaze of glory, which most of us (though we are not leaves) might choose to do as well (Ecclesiastes 7:8)

The thought struck me: the tree must release that which is dead or dying to bring new life in a new season.

I have held on to jobs for too long, past the time when I knew I could be serving better elsewhere. I’ve stayed in relationships out of nostalgia, even when they were no longer healthy. I’ve retained habits that weren’t working, and I have had to transition from mother of children to mother of adults, which is harder than it sounds.

But without the ability and willingness to let go of that which has had its time (Philippians 3:13–14), I would not be able to make room for new people, new ministries, and new phases—I’m a grandmother now!

Don’t be afraid to let go of something whose time has passed. It can go out in a blaze of beautiful glory, long remembered and treasured. Letting go makes way for new buds, shoots, flowers, and leaves. As something old passes and something new takes its place, the tree grows year by year. And so do we.

*This devotion is taken from Day 52 of Sandra Byrd’s book, Dwell: 90 Days at Home with God.