It is always rewarding when I get an email, text, or verbal affirmation from someone sharing how God uses a reflection on either my website or in one of my books for His glory in their lives. I give a big shout-out to God for His orchestration of more than 1,625 of my four published books that have passed through my hands into the hands of others since the end of 2020. My world was so small, but God is so big; His orchestrations are amazing!
I recently sent a copy of my latest book, God’s Glory Manifested, to a pastor I met once at a retreat in 2021. It was a beautiful blessing to receive an email from him back in 2022 requesting permission to use my two books at the time as the basis for a retreat he was giving. After receiving my latest book, he took the time and sent me a handwritten thank you. As soon as I read the front of the card, I knew it was inspiration to share. He wrote that he thought it sounded like something I would say. Only God!
Take a few minutes to dwell on the beauty of the front of the card. I find it fascinating and thought-provoking. Living in the northeast, I am blessed to get to experience the seasons to their fullest. I can’t help but think how our lives are like the seasons of a tree too.
Trees often remind me of God Himself, especially when I see a beautiful, full-leafed tree standing tall and displaying splendor.
“But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit.” –Jeremiah 17:7-8 (NLT)
With our lives rooted in God and our faith, we live with trust, hope, and confidence displaying His splendor. Our lives grow in grace as we remain steadfast in the Word of God and prayer even through the difficult trials of this life. The fruitfulness of the Spirit working in us will be evident.
LIFE is the spring name of God!
And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. –1 John 5:11-12 (NIV)
In the spring, we see nature come to life. God has given us the greatest gift of life—eternal life—because of His only Son, Jesus, who came to earth for our salvation. Eternal life is life in Jesus, which starts while we are on this earth. Since it is eternal, it also extends all the way to heaven.
LIFE is the spring name of God!
How is God providing new LIFE in you?
WARMTH is the summer name of God!
For the Lord God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right. –Psalm 84:11 (NLT)
In the summer, we experience the greatest warmth.
Our sun and our shield are God, who provides the warmth in our lives and protects us. God, being the sun in our lives, represents the glorious source of the light of life that is in us. The sun illuminates our lives with the warmth of His goodness, grace, and glory.
WARMTH is the summer name of God!
How is God producing WARMTH for you?
Photo courtesy of Stanley Zimny under Creative Commons License (CC BY-NC 2.0); words added by hopetoinspireyou.com
COLOR is the autumn name of God!
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” –Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV)
In the autumn, we see the greatest display of color.
Made in God’s image, we show our colors in this world by shining our light—His light in us that shines to brighten the lives of others. We help illuminate the path for others by sharing Scripture, having a listening ear, or offering encouragement. Others will encounter God’s goodness through our acts of kindness and allow them to glorify God too.
COLOR is the autumn name of God!
How is God displaying COLOR in your current season?
SILENCE is the winter name of God!
For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. –Psalm 62:5 (ESV)
In the winter, silence is most prominent.
During the winter season, we often see no signs of life, especially in nature. Trees are barren and flowers show no signs of life, yet beneath the surface, there is still life going on. We might see nothing, so life seems silent. We still maintain hope, for we know that in the spring, new life will appear.
SILENCE is the winter name of God!
How is God leading you to SILENCE?
Be encouraged this week to…
…reflect on what attributes of God remind you of trees.
…give thanks to God for the gift of eternal life.
…bask in the warmth of God’s goodness.
…display the colors of God’s illumination in your faith.
…be silent with God knowing He is at work.
…reflect on what season is prominent in your life currently.
REFLECTION:
Which season do you have the hardest time relating to?
What deed is God calling you to do to share His color?
And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. –Colossians 2:6-7 (NLT)
This is so beautiful, Christine! I love and relate to God in every season. He is so incredibly good! Thanks for sharing.
I love the imagery of the seasons and trees as well. The Tree of Life, the nourishment offered to us in the Garden of Eden, fills my heart to overflowing. I am full; His Life in me! Oh! How blessed we are to know Jesus. 🥰🫶🏼
Hello, Fauna… I appreciate your kindness in taking time to share on this reflection. Yes, yes, yes… the Tree of Life that nourishes us daily! How blessed we are to walk with Jesus daily. He certainly provides all the food we need. It was great to see you last week. Thanks so much for reading and sharing. I’m grateful to know and love you. Blessings to you and all your family~