Dormancy & Dependency

For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone; The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land; The fig tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell. – Song of Solomon 2:11-13a

On Sunday, at my home in Central Illinois, we received an unseasonably late snowstorm along with blustery arctic winds. But along with the cold came this spectacular sunset.

The scene reminded me that God often sends beautiful reminders of his goodness during the long, hard winters of life. It’s those reminders that help me through those periods of dormancy, when I can’t seem to grow in my Christian life – when the busyness of my days distracts me from what matters most.

But just as God uses a time of dormancy to prepare nature for spring, he uses similar periods in my life to remind me of my need for him, to cause me to draw upon his strength until a better season comes. It always does, and I begin growing again!

And spring will return to the Midwest as well. Until then, I will appreciate the spectacular sunsets, and I will look forward to all the benefits that a time of dormancy will bring.

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