Deep Water Series #3: The Rhythms of the Season

Ecclesiastes 3:1 reminds us that “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” It is spring, and the gardening season has once again captured my imagination. I find myself dreaming of tomatoes, peas, cucumbers, and squash in anticipation of a mid-summer harvest. These past few days, I’ve been out in the dirt, getting my hands dirty and my brow wet with sweat.

The only trouble is that most of the effort so far has been weeding. It is hard work, but the labor feels light compared to what is to come. Spring is truly a season of expectations. The redbud trees bring an early delight, signaling that the tide has turned. The grass shifts to a vibrant green, filling the heart with the expectation that the rest of the landscape will soon follow.

Spring is made doubly delightful because of the winter that preceded it. The freezing temperatures and snow-covered terrain make the arrival of warmth all the more desirable. Just as I begin to doubt the change—nearly giving way to the darkness of a Missouri winter—spring returns.

With it come the rhythmic rituals of the season: breaking the earth, selecting seeds, the careful planting, and the daily watch for the first young shoots to pierce the soil. It is a front-row seat to God’s faithfulness in making the seasons follow one another in perfect order.

Whether you are a rural person or someone who has never set foot on a farm, I invite you to step outside today. Walk through a park, mow the lawn, or simply sit on the porch. Take a moment to remember the rhythm of the season.

The Master of the garden is never in a hurry, and His seasons are never late.

As you observe the changing world around you, you might find that you are navigating a new season in your own life. In my book, "When the Road Narrows," I explore how the thinning of our distractions and the "narrowing" of our path can actually be a season of profound growth—if we have the eyes to see it.

If you feel like you are in a season of transition, you can find the book right here.