Seasons

In the UK we are blessed by having four distinctive seasons in the year, and in each we can see God’s hand at work. The autumn this year produced some glorious colours, as the leaves on the trees took several weeks to turn from green to different shades of red and gold. Recently we have had some beautiful frosty mornings, with the trees and the grass turning white and feather like. However, winter can seem like a dead time, as if nothing is happening in the natural world. There is no visible growth on the trees and everything seems to be static. However, even during the winter time preparation is taking place for the bursting forth that will come with spring.

Sometimes in our lives it can seem as if we are in “winter” season. There appears to be nothing happening and no visible fruit in our lives. However, during those times it may be that God is using the rest period to prepare us for the next season of fruitfulness. He may be pruning us and cleaning us up (John 15:1-2), so that we can be even more fruitful.

In our garden over the past few weeks I have been tidying up and cutting back the plants so that they will be even stronger in the next season. It is not a very exciting job, and there is not much to show for my labours now, but next spring and summer the benefits will be seen.

Similarly, in the fields around our home the farmers have been ploughing up the hardened ground to prepare for next year’s growth. There is not much to be seen now, but next summer the fields will be full of crops for harvest.

What about you? What season are you going through in your life? If it feels like winter, with nothing apparently happening, or if you are going through the Heavenly Gardener’s pruning and cleansing process, be encouraged. It may be preparation for a new season of fruitfulness in your life.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for creating the different seasons that we can enjoy, and thank You that You bring different seasons in our lives too. Forgive me for grumbling about the season that I am in now. Help me to be thankful and to trust You in every season of my life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.