Winter Life

There was a year my husband Tom and I endured a number of dreadful occurrences at the hands of misguided brethren and as a result of living in this world. Although it was a horrible time in our lives, it was also a season when our Heavenly Father made Himself very tangible to us.

It was the season of winter in our lives both physically and spiritually.

“I feel as dead as that old oak tree looks,” I commented one day to Tom as I was standing in his office looking out the window.

On a whim I flipped open one of his many books. The page I opened to spoke of the tree in winter and how it relates to a season in the believer’s life. I was amazed as I saw the hand of Yah in that moment.

I looked for that same chapter while writing this, but could not remember which book it was. I do remember the gist of it, though.

A deciduous tree in winter appears dead, yet that is far from the truth. Overwintering is a resting phase for the tree when its life processes continue but at a minimal rate. The tree looks dead but in reality its roots are in a stage of readiness. They are the energy storage ready to release growth whenever soil temperatures allow it.

This winter quiescence—when roots are resting but ready—is extremely important for the health of the individual tree and, by extension, for forests in general.

So it is for the saints of God. It may seem that nothing is happening in your life, yet the Holy Spirit is doing a deep work within your character as you rest in the Lord.

Resting in the Lord still includes an active relationship with Him--seeking Him--meditating on His Word and on the things of God. This parallels the energy storage of the tree roots; for Jesus, our Yahshua, fills us and strengthens us during this season through the Holy Spirit.

Just like the tree, you are resting but ready to minister to others when the spiritual temperature is right. This winter quiescence, this season of quiet, is important not only for the health of the individual believer but is important to the health of the Body of Christ.

Another interesting fact about tree roots is that they do not grow towards water. They grow where the water is.

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
But his delight is in the law [instruction] of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. Psalm 1:1-3 KJV

Many thanks to Pam Clark Photography at http://www.moravianfalls.net/pcp/pamclarkphotography.htm