What Spiritual Season Are You In? (and what to do in the in-between)
I don’t usually hear people say that they love winter…
Unless they’re a kid, an avid snow bunny, or live in a tropical area. Winter is cold, often dreary, full of flus and sometimes hazardous driving.
I, personally, enjoy the early weeks of winter up until late January. To me, it just doesn’t feel like the holidays without sweaters and scarves, hot cocoa, and least one snow flurry. (Once in a while, we’ll get enough in Nashville to build a decent snowman). :-)
It’s February… so I’ve officially passed my winter enjoyment expiration date! But I’m making the most of the cold weather still hanging around with a cheery coat and cute scarf. ;-)
We’ve still got a while before Spring will pop its head out of hibernation. So here we are, “in the-in-between”…
In between the fun of the holidays…and the still-sleeping sun of springtime.
In between the old of what was last year…and the new of what’s still to come this year.
In between the brown and barren landscape…and the buds not quite ready to bloom.
In my faith walk experience, I’ve found that the-in-between of winter feels a lot like the-in-between of spiritual seasons.
What are the four spiritual seasons?
In an interesting blog I came across by Jerry Robinson (truerichesradio.com), he compares “The Four Seasons of Spiritual Growth” with what happens in nature:
In congruence with nature, every Christian will experience four different seasons in their walk with God. Each season presents its own set of benefits and challenges. Our ability to determine which season we are in at all times will require an acute sharpness of spirit. But rest assured, sharpness of spirit is a worthy goal. As you read the following descriptions of the various seasons of the Christian walk, attempt to identify the season you are currently in.
Winter
Nature: Winter is marked as a long and dreary season. It is a time of heartgrowth (inner growth) in trees and plants.
Spirit: This represents a time of introspection and the examination of our heart and motives. A time of allowing God to make changes in us. A time for strengthening up and maturing.
Spring
Nature: Spring is marked as a time of cleansing and restoration from the difficult days of winter. Soil rotates; Refreshing rains. A time of transition. A time of pruning and re-growth.
Spirit: Represents a time of joy and glory after dormancy and hardships. A time of pruning: This is a time when God shapes and molds his people.
Summer
Nature: Summer is marked as a time of extreme dryness and heat. Marked by a need for more water than usual to sustain strength and life. Top of the ground cracks from heat.
Spirit: Represents a time of spiritual dryness. A time of needing more spiritual food than usual to stay replenished. True Christians come out of this season stronger. Others may stumble, sometimes permanently in this stage.
Fall
Nature: Fall is marked as a time of harvest. A time of pruning in preparation for winter. Leaves fall from trees; a time of transition.
Spirit: Represents a time of harvest when the Christian bears their fruits. More correction and shaping from God is required to prepare the individual for the long winter season.
In his blog conclusion, the author encourages allowing the season that you’re in right now to run its full course:
“Hard times will bring forth good character if you allow God to perform His perfect will in your life. Just as the day is balanced out by the night, the seasons that you must walk through are designed by God to keep your life balanced.”
I agree with his conclusion. But I’ve also learned in my experience that season to season, what I choose to do with the in-between affects how I will grow in and weather each season.
If you live on a beach and hurricane season is coming, readying your home with protective measures while the forecast is calm is a smart thing to do. Even if you don’t take the time to do it or feel it is isn’t necessary, hurricane season is still coming. If your area takes a hit, you’ll weather the storm a lot better if you put in the time and effort to be prepared.
Similarly, we should ready ourselves spiritually. When I get so caught up in the busyness of life that I forget to nurture the spiritual, it affects how I will weather any kind of storm or season that comes my way.
Spending regular time with the Lord and immersing in His Word brings His “peace that surpasses understanding” (Philippians 4:7), no matter what circumstances arise in any season. It also equips me with tools far better than any earthly coping skills. One of my favorite toolboxes is the Book of Proverbs!
The benefits of spiritual nurturing are not limited to weather protection. I’ve noticed that during the seasons (and in-betweens) when I’m intentional about spending regular time with God and immersed in His Word, some good ‘weather patterns’ happen:
I somehow get a lot more things done in a lesser amount of time.
I enjoy more quality time with my loved ones.
I feel less stressed and more grounded.
I’m able to think more clearly, and I get more organized.
I get more inspired ideas and have more motivation to walk them out.
I have more of myself to give in helping, encouraging, and ministering to others.
Best of all, I hear God’s voice better and see His presence around me more clearly. I savor and appreciate, so much more, all of the in-between moments of the day that otherwise would zoom by unnoticed or unappreciated.
Whatever season you’re in… or in-between…remember to be intentional about time with the Lord, digging into His Word, and regular prayer. Whatever the weather, you’ll weather it better.
reSOURCEs:
Daily Word: Wisdom from The Book of Proverbs