We are in the middle of several things… the middle of January; the middle of the winter season; and the middle space between Christmas and Easter (holiday wasteland). This is the time of year when things can feel kind of bleak. The colorful leaves have fallen and blown away and the busyness of the holiday season has been replaced with nature’s quiet winter sleep.
Now that the trees are barren, my husband decided it was a good time to tackle the overgrowth in the backyard. Vines had spread their way amongst the trees along the fence in our backyard. Now that they were exposed, he felt they’d be easier to get rid of. It was not that easy! As he described the epic battle that ensued to remove the vines, a few things came to my mind:
Dormancy is not death
Those vines put up a fight! They weren’t dead, they were dormant. The stripped-down version of the world can look stark and depressing so it’s easy to think nature dies in the winter. But God designed nature to have a season of dormancy. When plants go dormant, they are protected from snow and harsh cold. It’s a much-needed time of rest and rejuvenation. They grow their roots deeper into the soil in preparation for spring.
God does this with you and me as well. He leads us into a time of being still, creates a break from our busyness, and encourages a time of rest. But that doesn’t mean He is done with us! He is preparing us what comes next, but we tend to think the change is permanent. So we fight this temporary dormancy by filling our schedules with more activities and the distraction can cause us to be disconnected with God. We misinterpret the dormancy and miss how He intends to grow us in it.
Dormancy is only a season
The time when there is no leaves, flowers, or fruit is temporary! A dormant season can be challenging because we can misinterpret God’s plan and purpose. We think we’ve fallen out of grace and are no longer being effective for God. But a time of rest is as important as a time of productivity! But just as the temperatures get warm again in the spring and nature seems to “come back to life”, God will create a new season in us. We feel the winds of change begin to blow, and before we know it, He’s leading us into a new thing!
Dormancy creates strength
The vines may have looked dead, but they were spreading their roots! While they may not be growing long and tall above the ground, they are spreading out underground and becoming firmly rooted in the warm soil. So often God leads us to be still before Him so He can strengthen us with the truth of His word. He prepares us for the seasons that lay ahead. This time of peace and protection is essential to where He intends to use us next. Dormancy is not weakness; it is a season of gathering strength!
We can learn so much about the love of God by watching nature move from season to season. If you are experiencing a season of dormancy, take heart! You are being prepared and strengthened for your next season. The winds of change will blow again soon, until then, savor the moments of peace you have with God. You are not alone, you are not forgotten, and you are not dead yet…
Be blessed!
Jennifer
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens…” Ecclesiastes 3:1