Autumn leaves are one of the most visible signs of the coming of change.  Every year when the temperatures start to dip and the sun doesn’t seem quite as bright for quite as long we can see this beautiful display on almost all deciduous trees.  Tree leaves were designed to stop producing chlorophyll when temperatures drop or any other stressful situation affects the tree.  Trees convert energy from the sun through photosynthesis and this is how they are able to survive.  When there is less sunlight they produce less energy and thus when autumn and winter roll around the trees will live off of their stored energy to survive the hard times in winter.  

Trees are tested and their true colors come out during this stressful time.  James 1:2-4 says: Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.  This is even true for Trees.  They are tested during the autumn and winter months and have to first stop producing chlorophyll, which feeds them abundantly as well as gives them lush green leaves.  Once they stop producing the chlorophyll it is only a matter of time before the leaves change color, dry up and die.  The leaves are always the colors that we see in fall but because they produce so much of the green chlorophyll during the spring and summer months we cannot visibly see those other colors.

The trees are tested and their faith produces perseverance.  If trees kept on producing chlorophyll and kept their green leaves during winter they would most likely freeze to death.  So their temporary discomfort and visible bareness during winter months is a way to preserve the tree until spring.  When spring comes, renewal comes.  Once the stressful situation leaves the tree can begin to bud new leaves and once again live in relative comfort.  Had it not been for the hard times over winter the tree could not sprout new growth in the spring.  So just as we are going through hard times remember the trees.  When our true colors come out and we begin to stress, remember that maturity takes testing and testing produces perseverance.  Remember the trees.