During my walk the other morning, I noticed many leaves had fallen to the ground. Even in their fallen state, they were still beautiful; they still had purpose. As leaves decay, they add organic material back into the soil. Further, critters ranging from turtles to birds and mammals rely on leaf litter for food, shelter, and nesting material. It’s the fallen thing that quite literally has a purpose to enrich the world around it. This is the natural order and design of God—His will. But humans have something unique that nature doesn’t—free will. We don’t always use our fallen-ness to the greater good. So often we will sit and dwell in it out of shame instead of opening up about it.

While I don’t believe it’s necessary to confess your sins to anyone but God, I also don’t believe we should hide them from one another either. When we keep things in the dark, it gives the enemy power. When we are open about our struggles, we can pray for one another, and there is great power in prayer. Maybe you and whoever you’re opening up to share a similar struggle or maybe you struggled with something at some point, but God brought you through it. Being open about that past struggle brings glory to God and enriches the faith of the people you decide to share it with.

This season, as you look around at all the fallen leaves, I hope you can appreciate their beauty and remember their purpose. I hope it reminds you that you too have purpose no matter how many times you have fallen.