I Am Not Seasonal

The fortuitous trees stand their ground, year after year, staying planted in a spot the planter chose for them. The water flows from the hand of another while the sun relinquishes light without compensation. There is a dance here, a balance between intention and provision.

Season after season the trees bear root, tuckering down into the fertile soil, fulfilling the intention of its creation...to grow. Within growing the tree is provided for. It acts as a covering, a shelter for wildlife while cleaning the air for all to breathe. It can be a source of sustenance, being drilled into for sap to make a sweet liquid syrup, or harvested for luscious fruit.

When uprooted, it yields wood for construction, it provides cellulose fibers to make paper. At minimum, it is chopped up and used to kindle a fire. If it is moved or used the uprooting derives from the skilled planter. At every phase of growth the tree has provision for its intended purpose. There is purpose in every season of life.

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit” (Jeremiah 17:7-8).

Jeremiah the prophet needed an illustration for the people of Judah who were buried in sin. The most impactful visual consistent with the intention of human life is the tree. God knew his people needed something easy to reference when they became disconnected from him. Sin alienates us, and confuses our spirit, making us numb to the nudges of the holy spirit. We over time fall out of alignment with our intention, and dysfunctional in our given purpose.

God desires for us to be like the tree. To remember that our confidence comes from the hands of the planter, and not our own hands. Our sole purpose is to live, to grow, relying on God more than we rely on ourselves.

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful” (John 15:1-2).

Life will continue to turn up the heat. We will suffer as followers of Jesus Christ, but he tells us that he has overcome the world.

Meditate on this scripture:

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

We don’t need to worry about tomorrow, but we need to grow in the provision that covers our roots today. Remain connected to your purpose, the reason God created you does not wield from your own hands but from the planters. He wants you to remain in alignment with your intention. You are to grow in the spaces you reside, that’s an order. Speak life in the darkness. Fill your life with God’s words and not your own. Even in the fire, there is purpose. You may not understand what God is doing through you but have faith and remain in him anyway.

Prayer:

God help me to stay planted in all seasons. Help me to bask in the shade of your covering, and be relinquished by your spirit. I give up my desire to know all the details, I rely on the intention you have given me. Help me to grow and prosper under any circumstances. I will not be tossed to and fro but I will stay rooted by your strength and not my own.

In Jesus name I pray.

Amen.