I was just thinking about that the other day . . . in death is the beauty of autumn. Death to our own selfish desires brings great pleasure to God. Present your bodies a living sacrifice to God because this is our reasonable service.
And not only that, but unless a tree “dies” in the winter–releases it’s leaves, conserves it’s resources, enters a period of dormancy–it will not survive the harshness of winter, like the corn of wheat that Jesus talked about in John 12. He that holds on to his life will loose it; but he that surrenders his life, will find it!