Seasons of Life

When autumn arrives, what comes to mind? Football games, pumpkin pie, cornucopias, or colorful leaves? Even though it may have officially arrived a week ago, by now, the leaves are turning; the air is cooler, and people are already setting common traditions in motion.

We are such creatures of habit that we repeat those traditions every year. Holidays, games, family gatherings, and decorating. It’s a wonderful time of year to think of our loved ones and plan for the holidays ahead.

Autumn is a season of change. It’s all a part of the seasonal cycle necessary for the balance of nature. As trees go into dormancy, they purge leaves. Then when spring time arrives, there’s room for fresh growth, blossoms, and fruit bearing. The cycle seems habitual, but they are vital for their survival.

We are not much different from trees in this respect. There are seasons in our lives when we need to purge bad habits, behaviors, and thoughts. Then sometimes we need to spend time with God and heal from the onslaught of Satan. Once we refresh our relationship with God and allow the Holy Spirit to work in and through us, then we can grow in Him, reach the masses, and bear the fruit of the Spirit.

It’s vital that we continually purge sin from our lives, receive the grace of God, heal from the hurts and pains of this world, and allow the Spirit to renew us every day. Then we can optimally serve God with clean hands and a pure heart.

If we, the branches, abide in Jesus, the Vine, we will naturally bear the fruit of the Spirit as we tap into His power. Then we will live abundantly and fulfill our purpose. We will take part in His will and do our part in His plan. We will thrive in our existence and make it count for all eternity as we reach the lost and show His love to the world.

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 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. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command.” John 15:1-14

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