by Richelle Hecker

When Your Life Feels Dormant.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

A while back, my daughter took our camera out and went for a walk. When she returned, she showed me this photo and said, “This is how I feel.” I looked at the empty nest set in the crook of a tree without leaves. Actually, there is one dead yellow leaf hanging on. There seemed to be no activity going on in this picture at all. It just looked cold, without any snow to beautify it.

I know my daughter is not the only one who feels this way. It is common to go through a season that feels like nothing is really happening. Everything feels too calm for far too long, and we start to get restless. We want God to put us where we can do big things for Him, or at least something. In our restlessness we look around and see nothing that justifies this stagnant time of our lives. We want something, anything to happen.

However, looking more closely at the photo we can see that there are buds on the tree. There is a promise of blossom and growth coming in the spring. We know that the tree, though it appears dead, is merely sleeping. The tree is growing deeper roots, preparing for the time when new leaves will burst from its branches. It is also experiencing a time of protection. Resting keeps it safe from the cold winter.

“Wait for the LORD; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the LORD.”
Psalm 27:14 New American Standard Bible

We generally do not enjoy the prospect of waiting. But waiting on the LORD is never an idle time.  We draw nearer to God, spend time in His Word, and learn lessons as we watch all that is happening around us. In other words, we grow deeper roots. At the same time we can thank God for providing this time of protection, while we wait for the spring we know is coming. When life bursts back into action, we will be ready.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado