the deep roots of winter

Winter is my least favorite season. If not for Christmas, I would just assume skip ahead. But there is purpose in winter that I never knew existed. Today, I want to share with you the importance of the deep roots of winter and the lessons I am learning.

Living in NC, I always dread the wet weariness of February. With shorter days and longer nights, life seems to creep along in slow motion. I find myself asking if winter will ever end? Then, as if to mock me, winter teases with the possibility of snow, only to deliver an icy mess of slick roads and downed powerlines. I want to rush ahead, but no matter how hard I try, spring will not come early.

This is my winter. 

However, I never realized the importance of winter until this year. Ecclesiastes 3 says; “There’s a season for everything
    and a time for every matter under the heavens:
²     a time for giving birth and a time for dying,
    a time for planting and a time for uprooting what was planted…” 

The Amplified version says “There is an appointed time.” That is a time designated by God. Just as God set forth the seasons for a reason, I believe we experience seasons in our own lives too. When the scripture speaks of ‘uprooting,‘ some versions say, “a time for reaping a harvest.” To reap indicates a cutting or gathering. Therefore, in order to reap, there must be a root. With no root, there would be nothing to gather.

Roots are critical to any growth. But, in the season of winter, roots often grow deeper in preparation of what is next. Metaphorically, I find myself in the winter of my life. And just like I resist the season, I am resisting this time as well. Or I was, until I realized the importance of winter. Winter is a time of growth. As I change my perspective, I begin to embrace my winter. I wonder if God is not preparing me for my next season?

Maybe you are wintering as well; in between something, moving slowly toward an outcome, waiting on the next thing but not quite there yet? The benefits of winter far outweigh the slowness of the season. In fact, we need the time to grow and prepare for what is next.

Winter is a time of preparation.   

In Matthew 13:3-9, Jesus shares this story about scattering seeds. But if we look a little closer, we can see the importance of our deep roots.

“A farmer went out to sow his seed. ⁴ As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. ⁵ Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. ⁶ But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. ⁷ Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. ⁸ Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. ⁹ Whoever has ears, let them hear.”

How interesting that some withered and some produced a crop, a hundred fold. The only difference in living and dying is the root. As I prepared to write this blog, I came across an article about tree roots in winter. It said, “This winter quiescence – where roots are resting but ready – is extremely important for the health of individual trees.”

“Rested but ready.” 

I did not know that roots were so important to the life of a tree or our own spiritual lives. Winter give us a time of rest and enabled us to grow deeper. God is so amazing! God gives us this rest, so that we can be ready when our next season comes.

Today, I want to challenge you to embrace the deep roots of winter. Use the slowness as an opportunity to grow. Look for ways to rest and prepare so that when your next season comes, you are ready.

Let us pray;

God of our appointed times, thank you for the seasons of our lives. Help us embrace each one, knowing you are growing our roots and teaching us to trust You more. May we be rested and ready for our next season. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

P.S. – Join me back here next week, as we look at the deep roots of winter and the importance of pruning. Don’t forget to leave me a comment below and let me know how you are wintering. Forward this message with a friend and ask them to subscribe. Share on Facebook and tag me in it. I want to thank you for the opportunity to share with you each week. It is a joy! -M