‘Grace groweth best in winter’ (Samuel Rutherford) – Harsh winters are often the seasons in which we mature and become more fruitful.
I got the quotation above from the first session of Unanswered Prayer—Prayer Course II, which our family started weeks ago.
The course has five sessions, and we are doing one during our mid-week family prayer meeting.
My takeaway from the first session, “God on Mute: Engaging the Silence,” is the illustration of a plant that sheds off its leaves during winter.
Our naked eye can see a bare plant that looks dead during winter, but we don’t see its roots growing underneath—branching out, becoming broader and more profound.
The following verses come to mind:
Therefore, just as you have received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him, established in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
Colossians 2:6-7
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 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. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 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.
John 15:1-4
Often, we are drawn to focus more on the uncertainties we face than the certainties we hold.
We are thinking more about finding answers or solutions to our prayers than about allowing and trusting the Lord’s working hand.
The opportunity to examine ourselves and our faith in Him is between our prayers and the Lord’s answers.
Do we trust the Good Shepherd to lead us through life’s deepest, darkest valley?
James 1:2-4 encourages us to:
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Allow perseverance to finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
The sun comes up; it’s a new day dawning
10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord) by Matt Redman and Jonas Myrin
It’s time to sing Your song again
Whatever may pass and whatever lies before me
Let me be singing when the evening comes
In what seems to be a cold and quiet season, the Lord God is working in your heart, mind, and soul to strengthen your faith in Him.
Yes, grace grows best in winter. Let us take that opportunity to grow more in a season of unanswered prayers.
In times of cold and quiet season, you only have to be still and wait patiently. He giveth more grace!