I listened to an excellent Bible study last summer by Ryan Cummings, who spoke to us about fruitfulness and spiritual seasons. He compared us to living trees, and applied the seasons of spring, summer, fall, and winter to our spiritual life. Just as trees bloom in the spring, we experience spiritual renewal and growth. Summer trees are filled with fruit and abundance, as we enjoy Light-filled spiritual summers. Then in the fall, the fruit is harvested and leaves begin to fall, we may reap spiritual blessings. During winter, when tree branches are covered in snow instead of songbirds, we may feel frozen or dormant as we heal from trials or adversity.
In our ladies Bible class, we have been reading through the Psalms. I have appreciated the depth of emotion David conveys throughout his writing. Notice: “the man after God’s own heart” does not hold anything back from God! He laments, begs for help, praises God with his entire being, and recounts God’s deliverance with thanksgiving. As I looked through the lens of spiritual seasons in the Psalms, I found countless examples of each one.
Winter:
“How long, Lord? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me?” Psalm 13:1-2
Spring:
“The heavens declare the glory of God: the skies proclaim the work of His hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun. It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, like a champion rejoicing to run his course. It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is deprived of its warmth.” Psalm 19:1-6
Summer:
“Shout for joy to God, all the earth! Sing the glory of His name; make His praise glorious. Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies cringe before you. All the earth bows down to you, they sing praise to you, they sing praises of Your name.'” Psalm 66:1-4
Fall:
“I love you, Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I have been saved from my enemies.” Psalm 18:1-3
As Ryan compared us to living trees, he mentioned a book he read, named “The Hidden Life of Trees.” In this book, the author explains how trees communicate with each other. Fungi plays a pivotal role in the underground communication system. Through this God-created network, it connects to each tree via their roots, sending communication along from tree to tree. A Dr. Simard is credited for calling this the “wood wide web.” Trees are able to warn each other through chemical and electrical impulses. They even share with trees in need! Sugar, water, and nutrients can be sent to neighboring trees.
As trees have an underground root system, we are also rooted together in Christ. Consider your “forest,” and how we communicate with one another. Are we willing to share with those in need? Do we send God’s light to those who are in their own winter? Do we let others know when we are in need? Are we recognizing our role, not only in our small community, but in a larger sense of the world? Shining His Light, His Love, and His Word as far as we possibly can?
As this new spring dawns, draw strength from your roots that reside within Christ (Colossians 2:7). Rest assured that when we delight in the law of the Lord and meditate on His words, we will be like trees planted by streams of water (Psalm 1). Fill your spiritual “forest” with God’s people, both far and near. Be ready to give the Reason for the hope that is within you (1 Peter 3:15), and wait on the Lord… He will renew your strength (Isaiah 40:31).
Like David, a man after God’s own heart, pour your heart out to God… in all seasons.