Recently I came across this quote, ‘Autumn is not the end of the gardening year; it is the start of next year’s growing season’ and that made me think about the seasons of faith and spirituality that we each face at different times in life.
I often feel lifted when I see the turning of the leaves with all the beautiful autumnal colours, just as a I feel lifted when I notice the buds of spring or the snowdrops or daffodils beginning to emerge from the dark earth. These images remind me that each season of life brings change.
The beauty of autumn does lead to what can feel like the barrenness of winter, but we know that even though the winter may feel dark at times, there is always the hope of spring and that even though things may look dormant on the surface, there is preparation for new life growing in the darkness.
The seasons of autumn and winter invite us to reflect inward and to take time to reflect on our spiritual lives. Maybe to step back from the noise and to just listen. Maybe before all the busyness of Christmas, we could carve out times of quiet and contemplation noticing the changes in nature, the preparation in nature of being renewed and learn a new rhythm of life. One that helps us to rest and be patient.
We now live in a culture that glorifies busyness and achievement, but to live life to the full, we need times and seasons of slowing down and to rest in order to be able to grow and renew.
There are lots of different ways of learning from the seasons. I’ve mentioned some above - taking time to look and consider how nature responds to changes, pausing and noticing the beauty around us. Maybe reflecting and praying on what needs to change in your own life. Or taking the example of a tree letting its leaves fall, what do you need to let go of?
Autumn leading into winter is not the end, but is a preparation of what is to come. The lessons learned in these months ahead can help guide us through the year and they can remind us that even in the stillness, in the dormancy, God is still at work within us and preparing us for something new.
With best wishes,
Rev Vikki