Seasons and Growth
Photo courtesy of Freepik
This spring I found myself gardening with my two older girls (5 yrs old and 3 yrs old). At first they were very excited by the gardening tools, the gloves, and the shovels, but they soon lost interest. They began to realize it was hard work to plant, water, and wait, and that this all took time. They were such a perfect picture of our human nature with its impatience to see all things happen immediately. But as they learned to wait for each bloom, they’d celebrate: “Mommy, look! Do you see that one opening up? Look how pretty!” or “Mommy, we can’t leave yet, I just need to smell this one more time.” They learned to see the beauty in the waiting, in the growth, in the change.
Seasons Bring Change
Spring is not the only time when change is happening, or when we can see our lives and God’s lessons reflected all around us. Summer might resemble our slower times of great enjoyment of all that God has done. Fall’s harvest depicts our industriousness and God’s provision. A winter season can reflect the cold difficulty we feel when life has little growth and we are locked in a mundane steadiness, the warmth of a fire resembling God’s word holding us through. Spring’s fresh growth is like a new understanding, a new piece of wisdom, or a new freedom that has come to blossom in our hearts from enduring a winter-like hardship.
Seasons Are of God
God controls the seasons. He sets the timing of the quiet snow that makes us slow and still ourselves by a warm fire. He paints the woods in bold colors and takes our breath away in gratitude. He creates the burst of joy when we jump over waves on a warm summery day. And each spring, new leaves, new blossoms, and new growths hide, sleeping, waiting for the creator to say, “NOW!” All these are a preparation: a preparation for the bursting forth of new life.
Seasons Remind Us
Just as the world finds itself awakening again each year, we can find ourselves awakening, too. Something about a little vitamin D on our faces and beautiful blooms bursting forth reminds us of warmer days to come. It reminds us of Jesus, our creator and comforter, dying on the cross to bring us new life in Him. Each and every blossom can be a picture of the new life we have in Him, and that we can take up each day as a new mercy, a new gift.
Guided Reflection
Below there are some verses and questions to prompt deeper thought and processing about growth, seasons, and the gardening of life. Feel free to grab a pencil and paper or simply find a quiet area to ponder.
Think about what season your life may be like currently: winter, spring, summer, or fall. What makes you come to this conclusion? Read the scripture below:
“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches.” John 15:4-5, ESV
What does it look like to abide in the vine in this season?Meditate on the following verse:
“The LORD will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.” - Isaiah 58:11, NIV
What stands out to you? What encourages you?
Many times you may find that, in order to maintain a beautiful plant, you need to care for it by pruning the dead branches or leaves so they may bear more fruit. Where do you find Him pruning a branch or tossing away leaves in this season of your life right now?
The soil is of great importance when gardening, and the preparation of the soil makes it possible for a plant to thrive and bloom. If your life is the soil, what do you believe God is preparing you for in this season?