The days are getting longer and the sun seems to be shining brighter. If you’ve been around me any length of time, you know that winter is my least favorite season and summer is my favorite. Spring would be my second favorite because it ushers in newness, fresh perspectives, hope, and light. My soul even feels the energy that spring gives. Even so, we must remember winter has beauty too. In winter, trees and shrubs deepen their roots to withstand the spring storms and to sustain them through the hard summer when droughts can be prevalent.
That is the same thing we experience in our winter seasons. There are times when we go through the winter seasons of life – when things seems cold and distant, and when the leaves and fruit are not evident.
In winter, trees and shrubs will lose their leaves and don’t bear fruit to help them conserve water, energy, and strengthen their root system underground. It may even look lifeless to us, although life is still flowing through it and it’s growing. The cold temperatures of winter actually trigger root development. Then when spring comes and storms show up, the tree will be able to withstand the winds. The rain invigorates the tree and leaves and fruit begins to blossom again. What seemed to be dead comes back to life again, but it actually wasn’t dead it was just in a growing, waiting, and strengthening season.
The Same is true for us Spiritually!
Maybe you are in a winter season. Maybe you feel like something within you has died. You think you will never again be fruitful and lively. Maybe you wonder if God is even there. Be encouraged today, God is there! He hasn’t abandoned the work, He’s preparing it. Just like a tree releases its leaves, we may have things we need to release so that we have energy for what God will call us to in our next season. That could be roles, plans, relationships, or even our own expectations. Sometimes God removes what we felt sustained us so our roots learn to draw from Him alone. Winter season seems to slow the pace, the same is true with us. When life seems slow or feels barren, God may be deepening our faith, character, and dependence on Him. It’s in the hard seasons of life that we develop resilience, patience, and perseverance. The work we do during the winter season – Bible study, prayer, worship, stillness – prepares us for the next fruitful season ahead. God knows we all need a Sabbath season every now and then in our fast-paced world, so He gives us winter.
When you see the trees budding this spring, remember God will bring new life in you too.
Scripture for This Season:
- Philippians 1:6
- Jeremiah 17:7-8
- James 1:2-4
