Previously one of lament, my attitude towards the season of winter recently underwent a small shift. Choosing to enter the new year with a mindset of ease rather than one of frenzied activity has opened the door to purposeful rest in my life.
Our success driven culture views times of rest as a sign of weakness or laziness, but winter rhythms teach us the understated value of stillness.
Scanning the barren fields on a recent drive to work surfaced a truth about winter rhythms I seldom considered before. Winter provides an extended time of rest for flora and fauna alike, but this time of dormancy is anything but idleness.
To the contrary, beneath the serene surface of inactivity life fortifies its resources for the resurgence of enterprise to come.
By contrast, how often does our focus on achievements drain our energy reserves and keep us stuck in drive mode? Just as those barren fields lay tucked beneath a blanket of earth in restorative repose, I must allow the natural rhythm of winter’s rest into my harried life.
Winter’s rhythm of purposeful rest invites me into an elegant rhythm of reflection, restoration and preparation.
Reflecting back on the fields I saw reminded me the soil’s repose replenishes nutrients for the next growing season. Without this perfectly planned rest by a wise Creator, the fields become bereft of nutritive soil and few crops can flourish there.
My life resembles that of the soil, requiring times of dormancy for replenishment beyond daily sleep for true flourishing. But unlike the fields, this is not accomplished by lying in bed under warm blankets waiting for spring.
A form of energy conservation, purposeful rest provides a contemplative deepening of our roots in God. The result of which positions us to draw on His eternal resources for nourishment, strength, and endurance for the next season of growth in our lives.
If we bound into a new year armed with goals and a detailed plan for accomplishing and improving our lives, we bypass this most important step of God’s design for us.
Too often we use productivity and busyness as calling cards for self-worth. The busier we appear, the more important we become. The longer our list of achievements, the more value we have.
But what if we viewed choosing an intentional hiatus as a regenerative opportunity for returning to our true selves?
Redirecting busy energy into restorative fuel prepares us for accomplishing more when the time is right. Allowing time for curated dormancy also brings opportunity for shedding the false self.
Winter reveals the true essence of the trees and shrubs around us. Stripped of their leaves and fruit, their identity as trees and shrubs remains, but we now behold their severe beauty.
In a similar way, embracing a season of rest and withdrawal, we shed the false self— the external measurements of success and value.
Rather than succumb to the culture’s demand for productivity, we instead choose abiding in Christ. (John 15:4-5) Where, in the stillness of His presence we return to our true selves.
Jesus reminds us He is the vine, and we are branches. As branches we bear fruit only when we remain part of the vine. Abiding provides us with nourishment, strength and direction, and in due time we become fruitful.
The importance of purposeful rest extends from body to soul. As plants, trees, shrubs and soil replenish and repair during times of dormancy, so God designed our bodies and souls to seek restorative time. This type of purposeful rest not only replenishes and repairs our bodies and souls, but it also brings needed clarity to approach future challenges with renewed energy, focus, and trust in God.
The best part of a purposeful period of rest is we become more open and sensitive to divine revelation and God’s direction for our lives. Winter reminds us there are times we need more than our regular times with God. We need an extended retreat.
His clear word and direction for us comes as the fruit of surrendered rest. I love this quote by Elisabeth Elliot:
“If we really have too much to do, there are some items on the agenda which God did not put there.”
In this slower season of winter, may we embrace the natural rhythms of rest God designed for us, aligning our hearts, souls, and agendas with His perfect plan for flourishing in the coming year.
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Oh, how I love this! You’ve put into words what I so love about winter. . . and its snow days. When my house had five kiddos involved in all kinds of activities, snow days made the busy stop and allowed time to savor sooo very much. Your word choice “curated dormancy,” “redirecting busy energy into restorative fuel” –even with my nest emptying, how I still need the busy to stop in order to thrive.
So true, Maryleigh, we are empty nesters too, and the opportunity snow days give us to redirect our busy energy into restorative energy is so necessary to our well-being!