Seasons And The Church

January 1, 2019 by  
Filed under Christian Life, Family Focus

By Norma Vera

I read an article by Kelly Bailey about the beauty that comes from the death of fall. I considered her concept and realized seasons speak volumes of Christ and His Church.

Spring comes gently stretching from her yearly nap with yawns of daffodils, and buttercups. Her anointing grace causes everything to bloom. The smells of Jasmine, honeysuckle, and orange blossoms fill the air. Releasing a mist of puppy love she sings, “O taste and see that the Lord is good!” All nature joins the chores as a new generation is born. With roars of laughter, she dances in the rain celebrating Life. When
finished she tags the hand of summer and goes to sleep.

Is that not as when we first believed? Did His grace not cause us to bud and blossom? Our hearts filled with His love hungered and thirsted for Christ. Did we not dance with joy underneath His rain of grace? Was He not our lily of the valley, and did our lives not send out a lovely scent until we were forced to tag the hand of growth and say good-bye to child-like love.

Full of zeal and life-giving energy summer comes leaping with amusement over brooks and hills. Turning on his brightest light he cries, “Let’s go, for winter comes when no one can work!” With fleshes of lightning and roars of thunder, he commands the earth to produce. An unfathomable display of provision breaks forth. Satisfied with the results he surfs the ocean waves proudly as he swiftly tags the hand of autumn.

Overzealous and often void of wisdom we declared God’s glory as we endeavor to save the world. Growing by leaps and bound, we eagerly and sometimes annoyingly turn on our brightest light in an effort to cause the blind to see. We fail to understand why others cannot see the urgency of the hour. “Don’t they know we ask that the night comes when no man can work?” In youthful strength we freely surf the waves of time. Satisfied with our own work we arrogantly slap the hand of middle age.

Autumn with breath-taking beauty waltzes into the scene with baskets overflowing with ripen crops. She neither boasts nor brags but blushes with humility. She unselfishly lays down her crowns to meet the needs of others. With her wind whistle voice, she thanks the seasons that came before her. Starting with a seed, they helped her bloom into a harvest. While being swallowed-up in death she sings with incredible grace. “O death, where is your sting? O grave where is your victory?” Fearlessly she stretches herself to touch the
chilling hand of winter.

Forsaking our youthful zeal, we waltz into a new season. From the wisdom of those who came before plus our own experience, a harvest of fruit-bearing maturity sets in. Broken many times over by trial and error we are humbled. Losing the desire to boast and brag we realize that it was never us but Christ in us the hope of glory. With that understanding, wisdom enters into our heart and knowledge becomes pleasant to our soul. A new courage steps in as we boldly tag the icy hand of aging.

Trust me whispers Mother Nature as she shortens the days and buries autumn in a blanket of snow. With captivating beauty, the earth glistens in the most divine shades of pearl whites and twilight blues. A spirit of gloominess and emptiness creeps in like a deadly serpent searching for a melancholy heart to devour. The frost covered trees bowed down and worship the Creator, breaking the power of dreariness. The doors of gladness swing ajar. The mountains sing, “Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!” With a glorious grin, the heart of old-man-winter melts into a river of life-giving spring the unction to awake. Peaking at the world through a tulip scope, her stretching yawns cover the world with rose buds, apple, and cherry blossoms and once again a season ends and another begins.

“Stand still and know that I am God!” says an inner voice as our strength fails and body shrinks. Our head glistens with the most beautiful shades of silver white. Sadness and discouragement creep in uninvited. Your best years are over, they murmur. A solitary tear of regret runs down our face. Suddenly deep within a song emerges, “Let God arise and His enemies be scattered!” The door of faith swings open and boldness surfaces in the twilight hour. Excitingly we grab paper, pen, and jot down a river of wisdom. Without fear, but great audacity, our wrinkled hand passes a sea of knowledge to a future generation whose love for Christ will fill the world with His Gospel. So it goes, one godly generation leaves, but another follows.

About Norma Vera

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Comments

18 Responses to “Seasons And The Church”
  1. Cheryl says:

    Norma,

    Thank you for writing this. Each of us can relate to the seasons in our own lives knowing that if we embrace what each season brings with enthusiasm, we will find ourselves having fulfilled our call…and having trained another generation to follow hard after Him.

  2. Frances Snider says:

    This article was absolutely beautiful. It made me cry – not only for its content, but because it touched the heart of a senior lady who feels those cold days in her life and sees those wrinkles more and more. Through God’s blessings, Norma has certainly come through the seasons herself to a place of honor and great ability in her writing. Thank you Lord!

  3. Linda says:

    Norma
    That was beautiful. Wow, you are an awesome writer. Alice tells me all the time about the children’s books and other things you are doing. God had special plans for you through the midst of your pain. I am also waiting for the special plans. God bless you.

  4. Susan Gomez says:

    This is a beautiful story of the seasons we go through. May we all learn to appreciate the beauty of the season in which we find ourselves. Thank you for this encouraging piece!

  5. JoAnn Pennington says:

    Very, very good, Norma. This brought tears to my eyes. Call me and let’s get together soon. My kids keep telling me it’s time to get back to my writing.

    JoAnn Pennington

  6. Debbie Ellis says:

    Beautiful!! What an awesome view on the seasons of life.
    Very well done.
    Thank you,
    Debbie Ellis

  7. norma says:

    LOVED IT! That was a beautiful way to view life and our growth in the LORD as we mature as Christians. I am greatful that I will be ready when my day comes.

  8. Ramiro Cantu says:

    Norma, thanks for sharing. It was great to read your article. Keep it up.

  9. Nicole says:

    I enjoyed reading your poem,it’s beautiful. You are a very talented writer! 🙂

  10. Loved it, Norma. With winter comes new authority that only exists in winter! Loved your article

  11. Rose Vecchio says:

    Norma,this brought tears to my eyes. All the seasoned anionting is being released now. I can’t wait to read all your future writings!
    Blessing,
    Rose

  12. Susan Dollyhigh says:

    Norma,
    This is so true and so beautifully written. Thank you for sharing. I plan to pass this on to my family and friends.
    Blessings,
    Susan Dollyhigh

  13. Yvette says:

    I loved all the analogies. Beautifully written!

  14. Reading this beautifully written expression of God’s seasons just took my breath away. Norma you have bloomed like a flower in the gift of writing that the Lord had created you with. I remember when you first began attempting to become a writer and you went through so many ups and downs in learning what it would take to bring this gift into full bloom. I admire you so much for persevering and now we are uplifted with the fragrance of your gift in full bloom. I have been uplifted in reading your article and experienced the joy and peace of the Lord as it ministered to my heart.

  15. RoseMary Rojo says:

    This is a wonderful, inspirational, and enjoyable piece! What better comparisons can we make than to use God’s most wonderous work in the seasons he created!!

  16. Ann Knowles says:

    Norma, this is so beautifully written. Thank you for sharing your wisdom in things of the Lord. I really needed that tonight. God bless you as you pen these words of wisdom for our Lord.I know many will be blessed by the words He gives you to write for Him.

  17. Leslie Savitz says:

    Beautiful job, Norma. Great rhythm, heart and passion. Ahh, it is in the winter time when it looks like things are dead that the roots are growing deeper and stronger to bring forth lush leaves and precious and sweet new fruit. Thanks, Norma.

  18. Nina Medrano says:

    I loved this piece. It is to vibrant with visuals. There is beauty in our winters! Thank you for sharing your heart with us.

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