Seasons of Nature and Spiritual Growth: Fall 🍁
“A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." - Galatians 6:7-9
As the leaves continue to change colors and the air turns crisper, I am reminded of the beautiful and colorful dance of nature that occurs every fall. It is a season of harvest and pruning, a time when the earth prepares for its winter slumber, and we, too, can find valuable lessons from the rhythms of nature for our own spiritual growth as believers.
The Harvest of Life
Fall is a season of abundance, a time when the fruits of our labor are ready to be harvested. Just as the farmers gather the crops they have nurtured throughout the year, as believers, we can also reflect on the fruits that the Holy Spirit is producing in our lives.
What have we accomplished? What goals have we achieved? What blessings have we received?
It's a time to count our blessings and express gratitude for the abundance in our lives.
For me, this fall season has been a time of reflection on this year's harvest of spiritual fruit and the fruit of my labors. I've achieved many of my worldly goals, both big and small.
With the Spirit's help, I've also cultivated meaningful new relationships, and I've grown more mature in my expression of Jesus' likeness. Amidst the bounty of the harvest, I've also had to acknowledge the weeds that needed to be uprooted from my life – negative habits, toxic relationships, and continued idolization of self-reliance. Jesus has been working in me to identify and remove these weeds, just as a farmer removes the weeds from the field to ensure a fruitful harvest.
The Pruning Process
Pruning is a crucial part of the fall for both nature and the seasons in our lives, and it's a process that requires Jesus.
"Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples."
John 15:4-8 NIV
Pruning involves cutting away the dead and unnecessary branches to encourage new growth. This process can be painful and challenging, but it is essential for our spiritual growth.
In my own life, I've had to make tough decisions and let go of things that were holding me back, always with Jesus as my guide. Whether it was putting healthy boundaries around familial relationships, leaving a job that no longer served me, or confronting my fears and insecurities, pruning has been a painful but necessary part of my journey this season. Just as the branches are pruned to allow for new growth, I have had to let go of things that were draining my energy and hindering my growth, guided by the wisdom and love of Jesus.
As I watch the leaves turn fiery shades of red and gold, feeling the crispness of the autumn air, I am reminded that just like nature, we too undergo seasons of growth, harvest, and pruning in our lives. Embracing these seasons and the lessons they bring can lead to a more fulfilling and spiritually enriched life.
This fall, I encourage you to reflect on your own harvest and pruning process with Jesus as your Wise Counselor.
Fall in nature is marked as a time of harvest, a time of pruning in preparation for winter. It is a season of transition.
Here are some of my favorite ways to mindfully rest in the fall:
Take an e-bike trip through the mountains to do some leaf peeping.
Visit a pumpkin patch.
Prepare your garden for winter by cleaning up the dead stuff.
Drink hot apple cider in front of a fire.
Rake leaves and jump into them with your dogs and/or kiddos.
Fall in spiritual growth represents a time of harvest when the Christian bears their fruits. More correction and shaping from God is required to prepare us for the winter season.
However you choose to walk in dependence on God through this season of harvest and pruning, remember that every season has gifts and challenges and that growing into the people God made us to be is a journey, not a race to the finish. Don't try to hurry the season you're in. Experience it. Rest in it. And above all, listen for God's still small voice to guide you through.
In Him
Jennifer, Founder & Champion of Rest
