Wintering For Growth, Christian Suffering Part 5
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
Suffering and resisting evil has the capacity to launch us in to deeper, broader, more effective service for the Lord. Just as there are various severities of suffering, there are analogies used in the Bible that can be used to gain insights into suffering: winter, wilderness, and the valley of death.
The winter, wilderness, or valley of death may feel scary and intimidating, but rest assured, God has a plan for it. He desires to make your faith stronger, your endurance increased, your fears decreased, and your ministry to Him more fruitful. We can welcome seasons of change and challenge with open arms, trusting in our loving Father to use it for our good and to make us more like Jesus.
Winters of Growth
In wintertime, plants enter a state of dormancy, where it doesn't seem like much is occurring above ground, but below, much is happening. For the plant, deeper roots are being established as it seeks additional nourishment and additional water sources. The long period of rest allows it to store energy. While we may look at the plant and think "it isn't doing anything," it is happy and content to just "be."
When are you happiest to just "be?" (not experiencing pressure to perform, work, or meet expectations) Have you experienced God's contentment with you, just as you are? Or, if we are honest, do you experience His approval through serving?
If your experience of God's approval is in serving, are you interested in sitting with that, without judgement, to find out why?
God has planned that His people would enter routine periods of rest too. In spiritual winter, we become more deeply rooted and prepared for rapid growth later. In our dormancy season, we are reminded that we are children of God, not created for performing but relationship. In dormancy we grow in our faith and restfully see Him deliver on His promises.
During the winter, there are long periods of darkness, it can be isolating, and sometimes challenging. All the uncomfortable circumstances are designed to drive us into deeper relationship with the Father. This prepares us for the next season: Spring.
In the springtime, the outpouring of our faith surges. We sow seeds that will lead to external fruit (discipleship). We may start operating in a new gift of the Spirit or be invigorated in one we already operate in. We are filled with the Spirit and we are overflowing. The conditions are perfect, and life feels refreshing.
Name a time when you stepped into something new and it felt easy and invigorating, like spring. What was the winter season before and how did it prepare you for your spring season?
In the summertime, we can identify what we are doing well. This is the season where you may see your spiritual gifts being refined and recognize new areas of effectiveness for God's kingdom.
Name a time you when you surprised yourself with something new you did. (Maybe it is witnessing to a family member or friend, maybe you were serving in a new capacity, etc.)
In the fall, things start slowing down and the fruit of our discipleship starts to become ready for harvest. We take great joy in having worked in the garden of God's kingdom. We start to experience loss and death, but it is death that leads to life.
5. Name a season that came to an expected end. Maybe it was high school or a summer camp. What did you have to say good-bye to? What part of you died? What part of you came to life afterward?
What would you say now to the part of you that died when the season came to an end? Would you thank that part? Would you encourage that part? Would you share a testimony with that part?
Jesus, in His three years in ministry, came into His fall season in John 12. He states in verse 24: Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.
Jesus is the original kernel of wheat that died and bore much fruit: His followers. His life before His ministry included much preparation, study, and resting as God's Son.
Col 1:18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.
Ro 8:29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Although His ministry was only three years long, it was the most effective spiritual movement of all time.
Further Consideration:
To Be > To Do To be a child of God is greater than to do anything for God.
Winters are rhythmic, can be planned or anticipated, and can be chosen.
Winters are restful and keep you from burning out.
Winters afford you the time to be filled with the Spirit, and keep you from serving the Lord in the flesh instead of the Spirit.
Consider the lifestyle pattern He set for us- the pattern of rest and preparation that leads to Spirit-led effectiveness and efficiency.
During Jesus' fall season, He was prepared for burial Jn 12:7
He experienced a modest pinnacle of kingship recognition Jn 12:12-19 but receives a greater kingship recognition Rev 4
He knew the season of death was coming Jn 12:23, 27-28
The reign of the prince of the world was ending v 31
When we die, we will rise with a new body 1 Corinthians 15:35-58
Comments