By: Jackie Warner
As the leaves have fallen and with the fall colors screaming to us beautifully, I’ve found myself reflecting on what this season truly represents. It is more than a change in weather—it’s a visual sermon. We see transformation. We see release. We see death. And yet, we also see preparation for something new.
Recently, life slowed me down. Not in the usual way, but in a way that forced me to step back—mentally, physically, and spiritually. For someone like me, who’s always on the go, always moving with purpose, this pause felt unfamiliar. But I’ve come to believe that if we don’t slow down willingly, God sometimes slows us down intentionally. Not to punish us, but to position us. To help us be still. To help us lean in.
In this quiet space, I am learning the power of leaning in. Leaning into discomfort. Leaning into silence. Leaning into the Word. It’s not always easy—especially when we’re used to leading, fixing, and doing. But leaning in is where we begin to hear. It’s where we begin to heal.
And just like the trees release their leaves, I’ve had to release some things too. Old habits. Old expectations. Even parts of my identity that were tied to constant motion. Release isn’t always dramatic—it’s often subtle. It’s the quiet decision to let go of what no longer serves your growth, your peace, or your purpose.
If you’re in a season where God is asking you to release, I invite you to trust that it’s not loss—it’s preparation. It’s pruning for the next bloom. It’s making space for what’s coming.
And now, as fall fades into winter, I’m reminded that this journey isn’t just about letting go—it’s about learning to wait. Winter is the season where everything appears still, even lifeless. But beneath the surface, roots are deepening. Soil is resting. The earth is preparing for resurrection.
Spiritually, winter invites us to abide. To sit with God in the quiet. To trust that even when we don’t see movement, transformation is happening. It’s not a season of visibility—it’s a season of depth. And depth is where strength is born.
So if you find yourself in a winter season—emotionally, spiritually, or physically—know that it’s not a delay. It’s divine development. It’s the sacred hush before the springtime bloom.
I was listening to a podcast recently, and the message pierced my spirit. It spoke about the difference between a season of presentation and a season of preparation. It described spiritual rehab as a time to be rebuilt, renewed, and realigned with God’s vision for us. That resonated deeply. I realized that this isn’t my time to show up in my usual “get it done” way. It’s my time to be transformed so I can show up in God’s way.
So if you’re in a season where things feel slower, quieter, or even uncertain—know that you’re not alone. This might be your spiritual rehab. Your preparation season. And it’s not about presenting to the world, your friends, or your family. It’s about abiding. It’s about being present with the Almighty. It’s about letting God’s Word do its work in you so that when the time comes for presentation, you present well—in HIM.
Let’s embrace this season together. Let’s welcome the quiet. Let’s honor the discomfort. Because transformation is happening. And when the leaves fall, and the frost settles in, it’s not the end—it’s the beginning of something deeper, something divine.
By: Jackie Warner
Career Development Facilitator
“Impact, Engage, Grow” Community Matters
