Leaves are more noticeable in the fall, don’t you think? And not just the color changes either. They’re blowing every which way, they stick to my shoes when it’s wet, and they crunch beneath me when it’s sunny. They vividly paint the clear sky as they lazily fall from the tree limbs. They’re everywhere! Leaves, leaves and more leaves. Were there really this many trees in August? Lots of leaves and lots of change. That’s the tough part. It gets colder, there’s less time for daylight in the afternoon, and yet…it’s inspiring. We’re drawn to it. Some of us even say it’s our favorite season. So why is the fall so beautiful when it’s surrounded by dying leaves and empty branches? What’s so amazing about falling?

I remember when the ride Free Fall was introduced at Great Adventure. Everyone couldn’t wait to be scared out of their minds by being dropped 13 stories. They’d wait HOURS for it. Ok, I waited hours for it. I think that we’re drawn to the thrill of not knowing – of tossing our arms up and saying “weeee!” even if we’re not sure. There’s that part of us that God made where He needs us to free fall, where His colors are so overwhelmingly vibrant and we let our leaves, our grip…die and fall away. We fall back, fall down, and even fall into place. I don’t know about you, but if I fall, if I really let go, I experience the following:

-Intense focus on the fact that I’m falling, and my need to be caught
-The loss of my own footing, loss of control
-Panic, Danger, Desperation, Fear
-Loud, visceral sounds like shouting, screaming (yes, screaming)
-Nothing else matters
-A heightened awareness of my breathing and my heartbeat
-A gravitational force and a definite landing

Below are some of the definitions of the word “fall” that I found personally poignant and jarringly true as they pertain to my falling before God. I hope you read into these as much as I did:

1. To drop or come down freely under the influence of gravity.
2. To drop wounded or dead, especially in battle.
3. To come to rest; settle.
4. To undergo conquest or capture, especially as the result of an armed attack.
5. To lose office.
6. To lessen in amount or degree.
7. To diminish in pitch or volume.
8. To pass into a particular state, condition, or situation.
9. To be included within the range or scope of something.
10. To come into contact; strike.
11. To apply oneself.
12. To be born.

As worshiping artists, you allow for being inspired, and even overtaken, by a force of creativity and recklessness each time you sit down to paint, draw and write, each time you look up at the sky through a camera lens, every moment you approach the lines and spaces to compose. You fall into the unparalleled strength and beauty of God that guides your hand, your eye, your lips, your heart. You surrender the need to know, and long for the need to trust. When you fall, the sky is bluer, the change in the leaves is beautiful, and your smile is wider. When you fall, God is bigger.

In Christ,



Director of Worship and Music

Tags: Chris Fortin