What Season Are You In? – Lessons from the Trees

Devotional

Day 1: Remembering Christ’s Sacrifice in Communion

As we gather to partake in communion, we are called to remember the profound sacrifice Jesus made for us on the cross. The bread represents His body, broken for our sake, and the cup symbolizes His blood, shed to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. This act is not just a ritual, but a living reminder that Christ’s work is still significant today, offering us freedom, forgiveness, and new life. Each time we come to the table, we are invited to reflect on the depth of His love and the completeness of His redemption for every one of us. [58:52]

Luke 22:19-20 (ESV)
And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.”

Reflection: As you take communion this week, what specific act of Christ’s love or forgiveness do you need to remember and thank Him for today?

Day 2: Letting Go of Good Things to Prepare for a New Season

Just as trees must drop their beautiful leaves to prepare for the coming season, there are times in our lives when God asks us to let go of even good and admirable things. These may be talents, relationships, or roles that have brought us joy and recognition, but in order to step into the next season God has for us, we must be willing to release them. This process can feel messy and difficult, but it is necessary for growth and for God to do something even greater in and through us. [01:08:18]

Ecclesiastes 3:1 (ESV)
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.

Reflection: What is one “good” thing in your life that God may be asking you to release so He can prepare you for something new?

Day 3: Our Identity Is in Christ, Not in What We Have

The beauty of a tree is not what gives it its identity; even when the leaves fall, it remains the same tree. In the same way, our identity is not found in our gifts, achievements, or possessions, but in Christ alone. Whether we have much or little, whether we are admired or overlooked, we remain children of God. This truth anchors us through every season and frees us from tying our worth to external things. [01:11:53]

Galatians 2:20 (ESV)
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Reflection: In what area of your life are you tempted to find your identity outside of Christ, and how can you remind yourself today that your true identity is in Him?

Day 4: Allowing God to Prune Us for Greater Fruitfulness

When the leaves fall, it becomes easier for the arborist to prune the tree, removing branches that hinder growth. Similarly, when we let go of things—even good things—God is able to prune our lives, cutting away what is unnecessary or harmful so that we can become more fruitful. This pruning may be uncomfortable, but it prepares us to withstand challenges and to flourish in the next season God has for us. [01:14:50]

John 15:2 (ESV)
Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you sense God wants to prune you, and how can you invite Him to do that work this week?

Day 5: Faithfully Embracing Each Season, Even When It Means Letting Go

Throughout life, God may call us to let go of roles, dreams, or relationships that seem good, in order to prepare us for something better. This requires trust and faithfulness, even when the next step is unclear or feels less significant. Yet, as we look back, we often see how God used each season—whether on the mission field, in the engine room, or in a Sunday school classroom—to shape us and bless others. When we let go with a willing heart, God fills us with new purpose and greater blessings. [01:36:38]

Philippians 3:13-14 (ESV)
Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Reflection: Is there something you are holding onto that God is asking you to release in faith? What step can you take today to trust Him with your next season?

Sermon Summary

Life is made up of seasons, each with its own unique challenges and blessings. Just as trees shed their beautiful leaves in autumn to prepare for the coming winter, we too are sometimes called to let go of things in our lives—even good and beautiful things—to make room for what God wants to do next. The process of dropping what is familiar or admired can be difficult, especially when those things have become part of our identity or are sources of affirmation from others. Yet, our true identity is not found in our gifts, achievements, or possessions, but in Christ alone. When the leaves fall, the tree remains a maple, an oak, or a dogwood; so too, when we let go of what we have, we remain children of God.

Letting go is not always about abandoning sinful habits; sometimes, it means releasing good things, opportunities, or relationships that have served their purpose in a particular season. This act of surrender allows God to prune us, removing what is no longer needed so that we can bear even more fruit in the next season. The pruning process can feel like loss, but it is actually preparation for greater growth, health, and resilience. God’s faithfulness is seen in how He leads us from one season to another, often in ways we do not expect or desire, but always for our good and His glory.

Personal stories of transition—leaving behind a promising soccer career, stepping away from preaching to serve children, or ending a good relationship—illustrate that obedience sometimes requires us to lay down what is precious. Yet, in every instance, God has proven Himself faithful, providing new opportunities, deeper relationships, and greater impact. The journey is not about clinging to what was, but trusting God for what will be. As we let go, we make space for God to do something new and beautiful in our lives, just as the bare branches of winter prepare for the vibrant growth of spring.

Key Takeaways

1. Seasons of life require discernment and surrender. Not every change is about letting go of sin; sometimes, God asks us to release good things so He can prepare us for something greater. Recognizing the season you are in is essential to walking in step with God’s purposes. [64:31]
2. Our identity is rooted in Christ, not in our gifts, achievements, or the admiration of others. Just as a tree remains itself after losing its leaves, we remain children of God regardless of what we possess or accomplish. This truth frees us from the fear of loss and the pressure to perform. [71:33]
3. Pruning is necessary for future fruitfulness. When we allow God to remove what is no longer needed—even things that once brought beauty or success—we create space for new growth and deeper health. The process may be uncomfortable, but it is always for our benefit and God’s glory. [73:43]
4. Faithfulness in hidden or humble seasons is as valuable as public success. Serving in obscurity, working behind the scenes, or investing in just a few people can have lasting impact. God often uses these seasons to shape our character and prepare us for greater influence. [89:27]
5. Letting go of good things can be the hardest test of obedience, but it is often the gateway to God’s best. Trusting God enough to release what is precious—whether a relationship, a role, or a dream—opens the door for Him to bless us in ways we could not have imagined. [96:15]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[54:33] - Honoring Service and Introduction
[55:49] - Invitation to Communion
[56:13] - Remembering Christ’s Sacrifice
[59:35] - Prayer of Thanksgiving
[60:21] - Returning to Serve and Upcoming Mission
[61:40] - The Marymore Park Experience
[63:45] - The Little Maple Tree and Seasons
[65:26] - Lessons from the Trees
[67:46] - Dropping the Beautiful for the Next Season
[70:57] - Identity Beyond the Leaves
[73:20] - The Purpose of Pruning
[77:04] - Personal Journey: Letting Go of Soccer
[81:16] - The Engine Room Season
[85:11] - Faithfulness and New Assignments
[87:03] - Embracing New Seasons in Ministry
[89:27] - Impact in Hidden Places
[94:52] - Letting Go of Good Relationships
[97:11] - Closing Prayer and Blessing

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

John 15:1-2, 4-5 (ESV) — > “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit... Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”

Philippians 3:7-8 (ESV) — > “But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.”

Observation Questions

According to John 15, what is the purpose of pruning in the life of a believer?
In the sermon, what examples did the speaker give of “good” things he had to let go of in different seasons of his life? [[01:17:04]] [[01:20:42]] [[01:34:52]]
How did the speaker describe the difference between our identity and the “leaves” (gifts, achievements, possessions) in our lives? [[01:10:57]]
What happens to a tree if it refuses to drop its leaves, according to the sermon? [[01:15:22]]

Interpretation Questions

Why does Jesus say that God prunes even the branches that are already bearing fruit? What does this suggest about the role of “good” things in our lives?
The speaker said, “It is harder for us to drop the things that are good than the things that are bad.” Why might God ask us to let go of something that isn’t sinful or harmful? [[01:06:43]]
How does finding our identity in Christ, rather than in our gifts or achievements, change the way we respond to loss or transition? [[01:11:33]]
What does the speaker’s story about serving in hidden or humble places (like the engine room or with children) teach us about faithfulness and significance? [[01:29:27]]

Application Questions

The speaker shared about letting go of a promising soccer career, a preaching role, and even a good relationship. Is there something in your life right now—good or bad—that you sense God might be asking you to release? What makes it hard to let go? [[01:17:04]] [[01:34:52]]
When you think about your own “leaves”—the things that bring you affirmation or are part of your identity—how would you feel if God asked you to lay them down? How can you remind yourself that your identity is secure in Christ? [[01:10:57]]
The process of pruning can feel like loss, but it’s actually preparation for greater fruitfulness. Can you recall a time when God removed something from your life, and later you saw how it made room for something better? Share your story. [[01:13:43]]
The speaker talked about serving faithfully in hidden places for many years. Are there areas in your life where you feel unseen or unappreciated? How might God be using this season to shape your character or prepare you for something new? [[01:29:27]]
Sometimes, letting go of “good” things is the hardest test of obedience. What practical steps can you take this week to surrender something to God, even if it’s precious to you? [[01:36:15]]
How can you discern what season you are in right now? What signs or circumstances help you recognize when it’s time to let go and trust God for the next step? [[01:04:31]]
The speaker said, “The journey is not about clinging to what was, but trusting God for what will be.” What is one way you can actively trust God for the future this month? [[01:36:57]]

Sermon Clips

And it was at that moment that the Lord gave me this message. What season? What season are you in? And we all are in a season right now. My season might be different from your season. Some of us may be in a season where everything is going fine. You are enjoying life. Others might be in a season where you have sickness. You have health issues. You may be in a season where finances are not coming in. We all are in a season. [01:04:31] (49 seconds) #SeasonsOfLife

Sometimes the thing that we believe that is so beautiful can be very messy. And people have to go and clean it up. The beauty. The beauty becomes a mess. We have to go and wreck it. The city workers, I went back to Marymore the other day. The city workers are collecting the leaves. They're making big piles of it. Because their trucks cannot even handle so much at once. So they're making piles so that they can go back and pick them up. [01:09:49] (42 seconds) #BeautyInTheMess

But there is an interesting thing. When those leaves come down, you can still identify those trees. So the beauty of those trees doesn't give them its identity. Because if it gave the tree its identity, when the leaves came down, the maple tree would not be identified as a maple tree. And sometimes with our giftings, with our finances, we make it so beautiful up there. But our identity is not in those things. Our identity should be in Christ. [01:10:51] (57 seconds) #IdentityInChrist

Even though I cannot sing loud, I am still a child of God. Even though I don't look pretty on the outside, I am still a child of God. Because my identity is in Jesus, not in what I have. [01:12:16] (15 seconds) #ChildOfGodAlways

When we drop things, even though they are beautiful, even though we think they are good, you are preparing the way for Jesus to come into your life to cut some stuff that is unwanted, so that you can be more fruitful in the next season of your life. [01:13:31] (21 seconds) #PrepareForJesus

A plant, a maple tree, for example, if the leaves do not come down, it makes it virtually impossible for new leaves to come. And in our lives as Christians, as believers, followers of Jesus Christ, we can make it so difficult we don't want to drop anything. [01:15:22] (43 seconds) #DropToGrow

But the moment you begin to take things out and get rid of stuff, then you can see what you have and what you don't have. And in our lives as believers, God sometimes wants us to take things out, drop things, so that he can prepare us for bigger and better things for the next season of our lives. [01:16:28] (28 seconds) #ClearToReceive

What season are we in? That God is taking you from, you know, the things that look beautiful and we have to drop it so that we make room for Him to work in our lives. [01:31:06] (22 seconds) #WhatToDropToday

What do we have to drop this morning that is holding us back from doing or preparing us for the bigger things that God has in store for us? [01:32:11] (17 seconds) #GodPreparesUs

So all along the way, even though it looked like I was dropping things, it was not really dropping. God was preparing me and making me better and working with me, showing me things I needed to leave for that season so he could prepare me for better season in my life. [01:33:28] (30 seconds) #FilledWithMore

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