15/03/2018

Good morning. Which season are we in right now? Of course, according to the calendar we are all in the Spring. The seasons of the soul are a different matter, though.

Most of us probably recognise the Winter of the soul. It is that harsh time when every step seems an effort and a chill wind blows through heart and mind. It may be a season of sickness, of depression, or even of bereavement.
The Spring of the soul is that season when faith is bright and energetic. Everything seems doable and it’s hard to say no. Sometimes, like a Spring flower thrusting up from the soil just a little too early, we take on too much in this season and have to step back.
The summer is a time of big skies, long days and endless possibilities. In the Summer of the soul we may labour hard and long , but often get exhausted. Under a hot sun, we may grow weary or thirsty so quickly that we scarcely notice it and become unaccountably exhausted.
Autumn is my favourite season of all. I love all those glorious colours and the shiny fruit of the earth. The Autumn of the soul can be a rich time too – maybe a moment to look back at the fruit of all the labour put in during the preceding seasons. We need to look to ourselves though, as Autumn is a time to lay aside provisions for the Winter to come.

For the Christian believer, the presence of God is needed just as surely in every season as the sun is needed to warm the earth or the rain to make things grow. “You give life to everything” as it’s written in the Book of Nehemiah

Dear God, whatever the season may be - either on the inside or the outside, help me to be sure of your presence today. Amen