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Shedding and Regrowth

12/15/2022

2 Comments

 
Fall is my favorite season.  Not just because its archery season, but I love watching the leaves change colors, even though I know that they will start dropping to the ground.  As more and more leaves fall from the trees, we know that a new season is around the corner.  I must admit, although the leaves help to keep me concealed in my tree stand, I still love watching them fall.
As the trees drop their leaves to begin a new season, I was reminded that we may need to drop some things in our own lives.  Recently a friend shared a bible verse with me from Ephesians and I couldn’t seem to quit thinking about it.
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:31-32.
I never really thought about the process before, but dropping the leaves, gives a tree a new start in the spring, and the nutrients from the decaying leaves are recycled back in the ground to help with that new growth.  John 12:24 says: Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.
Just like without the shedding of Christ’s blood, there would be no forgiveness of sins.  
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
Thinking of the leaves falling slowly to the ground, I imagine each emotion listed in Ephesians, falling away from my heart.  I hate to think about how many times I have held on to one or maybe all of those things, only to be held back from something new that God may be trying to do in my life or possibly through me to help someone he has placed in my life.
I recently told someone that God puts people in our paths for a reason.  Sometimes it is only for a season, but while they are there, we as Christians should be displaying the fruits of the spirit in our lives.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23)
We should continually be growing in our relationship with Christ.  So, what fruit are you bearing in your life? 
An archer never stops learning.  When I encounter a bump in the road, I am so thankful that I can call up my bow tech and he will be right there to help fix my equipment and I trust in the knowledge that he has.  He lets me know when it’s the equipment or if I need to correct my form, because he wants everyone to be the best archer that they can be.
Our lives are no different.  We have a Heavenly Father that we can call up in prayer, we can trust His word and know that He will guide us and help us become all He has created us to be.
I’m thankful for the lessons that we can learn from God’s creation.  I can’t help but think about without the shedding of the leaves, there would be no more new growth.  Even the bucks shed their horns late fall/winter and begin regrowth in late spring. 
This Thanksgiving I pray that we will all take a good look into our hearts, get rid of the things that don’t need to be there, so that we can continue to grow together in our relationship with Christ.  This world is full of people who are falling away, let’s show them that through Christ all things can become new.
Together we will continue… "Aiming for a Higher Mark”.   
By Kari Mihal, Chairman Almost Heaven Archers, WV
2 Comments
Gordion Sisler
2/11/2023 10:53:47 am

I needed this. Family issues with a member. I am disappointed with their behavior. Ephesians 4:23-24 helped me reset. Thank you

Reply
lee
7/21/2023 04:26:49 pm

absolutely beautifil. thank you!

Reply



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