Learning from Seasons: Praising in Pause or Prosperity

Honestly, the last thing I want to give is another opinion about the pandemic going on in this world today. Personally, I’ve felt confused causing waves of anxiety to come at me. I’ve felt at a loss for words, and quite frankly, for any understanding regarding the current situation.

As I scrolled through social media this morning, I noticed consistent patterns in people’s posts. Well, at least the posts I could see. Good, bad or indifferent, it all revolved around the coronavirus (Covid-19).

When I looked at the calendar, I noticed today marks the first day of spring. But, there were no social media posts to reflect that. The darkness and uncertainty of what’s happening in the world around me tries to swallow up any bit of light and newfound hope. But, I felt this tug upon my heart to shift my perspective towards what is represented by patterns in seasons.

You see in the winter season, there seems to be a pause, or a stillness. The leaves die off of trees and flowers are not in bloom. Some animals hibernate or move South. There’s a dryness and chill in the air. What is visibly seen are ordinary colors in nature and much is not pleasing to the eye.

However, the winter season is not void of life. One, of many things, that is truly worthy of praise. The trees themselves are very much alive and there are cold-resistant plants that thrive. There’s a different, colorful species of birds that emerge, and other natural life flourishes during the winter months. Life in bloom may be at a standstill, but hope is not lost.

I’m moved within my spirit from anxiety to peace concerning the world’s current circumstances. Sure there’s been a shift in what society describes as “normalcy”. We are all left in a darkness with uncertainty about what the future holds. Life in bloom maybe at a standstill, but hope is not lost. I am reminded that both light and hope are found in the Lord. And these trying times cause me to shift my gaze towards the emergence of new life.

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see. So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while.- 1 Peter 1:3‭-‬6 NLT [emphasis mine]

From the perspective of which seasons were created, we can look at the pattern associated  with this first day of spring. It brings with it the hope of life in bloom- prosperity. Much more reason to praise! In fact, scripture adequately describes this “Hope for Restoration” in Isaiah 35.

Even the wilderness and desert will be glad in those days. The wasteland will rejoice and blossom with spring crocuses. Yes, there will be an abundance of flowers and singing and joy! … There the Lord will display his glory, the splendor of our God. With this news, strengthen those who have tired hands, and encourage those who have weak knees. Say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, and do not fear, for your God is coming to destroy your enemies. He is coming to save you.” And when he comes, he will open the eyes of the blind and unplug the ears of the deaf. The lame will leap like a deer, and those who cannot speak will sing for joy! Springs will gush forth in the wilderness, and streams will water the wasteland. Those who have been ransomed by the Lord will return. They will enter Jerusalem singing, crowned with everlasting joy. Sorrow and mourning will disappear, and they will be filled with joy and gladness.- Isaiah 35:1‭-‬6‭, ‬10 NLT [emphasis mine]

Whether in a season of pause, as in the stillness of winter, or a season of prosperity, as in the hope of spring, one thing remains. To praise our Lord Jesus. For He is peace (1 Corinthians 14:33). For He is light in the darkness (John 8:12). For He is the source of hope (Psalm 71:5). For He is eternal life (1 John 5:11-12).

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To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven: He [God] has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end. I know that whatever God does, It shall be forever. Nothing can be added to it, And nothing taken from it. God does it, that men should fear before Him.- Ecclesiastes 3:1, 11‭, ‬14 NKJV

Dry Seasons

Due to the frigid cold temperatures this winter, we’ve had to crank up the heat in our home. The heater is constantly running and still doesn’t seem to bring us the warm result we seek. However, it has created an unwanted outcome of an extremely dry atmosphere.

While having “cold symptoms”, my son and I have faced dry noses, lips and throats. After taking a hot shower, my skin is also left dry. When my dear friend visited, her beautiful curly hair began to straighten out from the dryness.

All this dry air had caused these particular instances to lose their form. Leaving us with pursed lips, wrinkly or cracked skin, and lifeless hair.

To absolutely make sense of all this scientifically, I did some online research. According to this article at smartfog.com, the author explains it best; “Because our bodies are comprised of approximately 70% water, it should come as no surprise that exposure to dry air can lead to dehydration. When you’re exposed to dry air, the air will attempt to draw moisture from anything it can, including the human body. The moisture in and on your skin will evaporate, as will the moisture in your lungs, eyes, nose and body.”

Therefore, to overcome this period of dryness my best solution is to moisturize. Using a facial creme, body lotion, chapstick, and various moisturizing hair products are very ideal for external attributes. General protocol to remedy the internal body is to drink the minimum intake of 64-oz of water in a day.

It is remarkable when God showed me how my daily winter struggle coorelates to a recent dry season I faced in my spiritual life.

I went two, long months feeling mundane in my spirit man. I would wake up each day feeling as if I was just getting by minimally. I didn’t know what was happening to me, but I knew I didn’t like the feeling.

However, these feelings were not a product of who I am as a person. I would describe myself as a goal setter and an achiever. So, through my feelings I pressed onward each day. I made an appoint to recite scriptures over my day and to read some daily devotions.

Whenever the enemy cranked up the heat against me spiritually, I continued to become more dry. As a result of this my spiritual life began to lose its form. With each passing day, I was threatened by a crack, a wrinkle, and lifelessness. Because what I was doing to get by wasn’t enough.

I needed to moisturize! And how, then, do I achieve that spiritually?!

Jesus answered, “..whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”- John 4:13-14 (NIV) 

I can get proper spiritual moisture by drinking from the living water of Jesus. He is the solution. Sure, reciting scripture and reading devotions are fine. But it just does not satisfy the way that Jesus does.

I must partake of His life-giving scripture by consuming it daily. I must seek Him in prayer by communictaing to Him my happenings. That way, He is able to quench my thirst and moisturize my spirit!

A dry season is not a time to run away from Jesus. It is not a time to sit idle until it passes. No. It is a time when I must run toward Him with my head held high. It’s okay for me to admit to Him that I feel dry. Because then He is able to lovingly and gloriously respond, I am all that you need.

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“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”- Philippians 4:19-20 (NIV)