As I have been walking out in the park over the last month, it’s been easy to see the transition of the world around me between summer and winter. What was a green, growing environment only a few short weeks ago has since eased through the color spectrum to a drab, dull landscape. Summer has passed through fall, and is nearing winter. The transition from one season to another carries with it memories of the season we are leaving, and hints as to the season we are fast approaching. Whether that brings with it joy, dread, sentamentality, excitement, or whatever, the fact that the seasons are in transition is obvious, and unstoppable. And, at the same time, necessary.
While we may not eagerly look forward to the approach of winter, and may shudder at the first touch of its icy fingers, we can not live in such a way as to deny its approach. While we may wish that summer linger on indefinitely, failing to prepare for the next season of our lives is not only foolish, but dangerous.
We may wish the trees to stay green throughout the winter, but if they should refuse to prepare for the next season by dropping their leaves and going dormant at the proper time, when the full brunt of winter hits, they will not survive. Tender green flesh will freeze, splitting cells and wilting leaves. Rather than enjoying the beauty of the green world around us, instead we would be surrounded by dying foliage – the reminders of a world that was ill-prepared for the future. However, plants, it seems, are careful to follow the designs of their Creator in preparing for the transition between seasons. We would be wise to do the same.
In this life, we are not promised a world of perpetual green bliss, and as I’ve commented before, we are in fact promised the exact opposite. It is crucial for us to be aware of the world around us, and make the most of every moment. We need to take full advantage of the summer months, growing deep while we are able. At the same time, we must be mindful of the approach of winter, and prepare accordingly.
While we may dread the approach of winter, we must not ignore its coming.