The Dead of Winter – and its Promise

As the winter weather turns from dry and frigid to warm and humid, dormant seeds lay in wait, nestled in the soil. 

Do you ever feel like that little seed, waiting in the cold dark for the next chapter to unfold? Sometimes, it’s hard to see the beauty in such a time. These are often painful periods to rest in. Yet, what happens in the dead of winter is necessary.

Consider what happens in the deadof winter and why we need such a time of waiting. Let’s explore the spiritual side of this concept.

A seed remains dormant or alive but not growing for several reasons. The outer coating of the seed may be too hard and not allow water to penetrate, the seed may be too immature or undeveloped, environmental conditions may not be optimal, or there may be an internal chemical inhibitor. 

Nature has so many lessons for us, especially spiritual ones. If we consider a dormant period in our lives, we might see certain behaviors or mindsets, for example, that characterized or perpetuated a season of alive but not growing. Were we tough on the outside, not allowing anything to penetrate our hearts? Were we out of balance in our spirits or minds in a way that inhibited us? Were we not yet in the right time or place? Perhaps we needed a little more maturing first. 

Some seeds respond readily when conditions become more favorable. The coating cracks open, allowing in water and nutrients, and before long, a tender sprout of new growth appears. Other seeds are more stubborn and must be scored or cracked to initiate the growth process.

In any event, dormant periods are a necessary and vital part of life. It provides a chance to rest and be still. It offers protection from harsh conditions that could injure new growth. 

Where there is dormancy, there is also a promise. New growth is on the horizon.

Write about a season of dormancy in your life. 

• Describe what this period was like for you.
• How was it different than your life before?
• Was this dormancy spiritual, physical, or some other kind?
• What happened to break the dormancy and bring new growth?
• Were you a seed that responded readily to an opportunity to grow, or did you require some scoring and cracking first?

Please share about your dormant season in the comments below.