Seasons of the Heart: Spring
Just as the turning of the earth brings four distinct seasons to nature and creation, our life’s journey around the sun brings four distinct seasons to our hearts and souls. Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall arrive at different stages and phases of life, but each one, when fully embraced makes our lives richer and more meaningful. Winters of the heart are difficult, Springs are energizing, Summers are enjoyable, and Falls are for reaping.
Winter of the heart is the hardest season. It’s a time when what we believe and know about God is not what we experience. What we know to be true about God is that He promises to never leave us. He’s always present and intricately involved in our lives. And somehow, He works all things out for our good.
Yet, during a winter of the heart, our experience tells a different story. God seems distant, non-responsive and aloof. There are times when we simply cannot see him working, feel His presence or hear His voice. We are overcome with loss, grief, and disappointment. Life feels like an up-hill battle; two steps forward and three steps back. Winters of the heart have their place in our spiritual journey, as God uses them to mature our faith, but it’s what follows the winter that makes our hearts once again come alive and dance like a butterfly.
Springtime of the heart is a welcome sight to a winter weary soul. Just as the Spring brings renewal to nature and creation, this season of the heart brings renewal to the very core of our being. We wake up. We suddenly feel free to become the person God meant for us to be. We begin to sing a fresh new song with restored energy, focus, and passion.
Perhaps you’ve made a re-set decision for your life. You’ve moved to a new location, started a new project, new job, or found your forever soulmate. Hope swoops in and lifts you up out of the darkness and into the light. After a long night of weeping, your joyful morning has finally arrived. God is doing a deep work within you and you sense His nearness.
A springtime of the heart is a time to clear out the clutter; a time to sweep out the cobwebs that have accumulated while you’ve been sleeping. It’s a time to take inventory of relationships, daily schedules and commitments. Is what we spend most of our time on life-giving or is it an energy-drain? What makes your heart sing? How can you spend more time doing those things that feed your soul? And how can you eliminate the things that don’t? Life’s too short to drink bad wine, and it’s way too short to spend time on activities God has not called us to participate in. Decide where you need to join God in this season of renewal, then roll up your shirtsleeves and get going.
Spring is a time for sowing and planting. In this season of the heart, sowing seeds of peace and kindness will reap a harvest full of deeply meaningful relationships. If you sow generously of your time, talents, and resources, your harvest will be plentiful. You’ll reap enough to store away. If you sow seeds of stinginess and strife, your Fall harvest will be filled with fields of brokenness. Choose wisely. The seeds you sow in springtime will become the harvest you’ll reap in the Fall.
But before we get to the Fall, we have to live through the summer. Oh, glorious summer! How excited we are to see you arrive.
What About You?
If you’ve ever experienced a Springtime of the heart, reflect upon that experience.
What made this experience so meaningful?
