Post by guest author and photographer, Kayla White
“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: … a time to plant, and a time to pluck what is planted …” Ecclesiastes 3:1, 2b
Spring in Colorado
Spring is slowly giving way to summer. Here in Colorado, spring is often accompanied by dramatic swings in temperature and can bring snow and frost even in late May. Because of the late frosts, some of the trees and bushes have struggled to bring forth leaves; most of the lilac bushes around our house didn’t bloom at all. Despite this, the trees miraculously brought forth more leaves, and the cool-weather plants thrived (peas, lettuce, onions, and asparagus).
Seasons of life of the Christian
As I’ve witnessed this trial and triumph, I reflect on the different seasons of life of the Christian.
Sometimes we experience times of confidence and delight in the Lord. “Oh, how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day … How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through Your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.” Psalm 119:97, 103-104 (see also Psalm 18).
Sometimes we go through valleys of trial and difficulty, mourning for or struggling with sin, and chastening (Lamentations 3; Psalm 51; Psalm 55; Hebrews 12:3-11). The difficult seasons are often some of the hardest times to bear fruit as we fight against the frosts and cold snows of the path, yet they can also be times in which we bear the most fruit. As the Lord tests us, we struggle until we come to end of ourselves and cry to the Lord for mercy and His preserving grace, lest we are found a branch without fruit.
“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.” John 15:1-3
Abide in Christ
If we abide in Him, we will bear fruit even in the midst of difficulty (John 15:1-8). His grace is sufficient for us (2 Cor. 12:9), His strength limitless for the fight (Deut. 20:3-4; 1 Cor. 10:13), and His mercy unending to those who are His (Psalm 34; Psalm 86:5). While we will never be perfect in this life, He is faithful and merciful, and as His children, we will reap if we abide in the Vine and faint not (John 15:1-8; Gal. 6:9-10; Hebrews 12:11).
