Purpose In This Place

“Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines;

Though the labor of the olive may fail, and the fields yield no food;

Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls—

Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.”

Habakkuk 3:17-18

Spring is my favorite time of year. When it’s here, I relish it. Flowers blooming, bees buzzing, breezes warming…there’s just something about the new green growth after a long winter that revives my spirit.

Because of God’s intricate design of our world to rotate on its axis while simultaneously orbiting the sun, we experience seasonal transitions all throughout the year. Though we don’t feel this movement taking place (which still amazes me), we know it is and can rest assured that the current season will end and a new one will begin.

When we see a beautiful flower blooming or a tree full of ripe fruit, we know better than to assume that it’s been that way since Day 1, nor that it stays that way all year long. We understand that at some point, a seed had to be planted into the soil. Then in order to grow, the seed had to take root. After a length of time, a plant began to sprout and push its way up and out in all its shiny green newness. Then after additional time and care, buds appeared and eventually blossomed.

How similar this is to the seasons of our lives…

But let’s get back to the soil. Having good soil matters! It’s not just there to keep a plant sturdy—though that’s certainly part of its job. Soil is the lifeblood of a plant. In order for the plant to have healthy growth, it needs to live in nutrient-rich soil with balanced pH that’s free of disease and has been properly tilled and plowed.

In other words, the soil has to be prepared.

Farmers and experienced gardeners get this. They understand that not only is there a specific season for this, but also that the preparation takes time. But they’re willing to accommodate that and put in the hard work to do it right because their harvest is dependent upon it.

What season do you find yourself in right now? Are you enjoying the abundance of Summer or trudging through the (seemingly) barrenness of Winter? Are you excitedly watching sprouts begin to break through or winding down after a big harvest?

If Winter is where you are and your walk is growing weary, please allow me to encourage your heart with some truth, my friend…

There is so much purpose in this place.

Right now, when you aren’t seeing any visible fruit and have been eyeing the ground for quite a while waiting for something to pop up, know that God is working hard to prepare you for what’s ahead. When you’re feeling unsteady on your feet and unsure of the next right steps to take; when you really can’t see a way to bridge the gap between where you are now and where you hope to be, it’s important now more than ever to lean into Him, immerse yourself in His Word and wait for His gentle leading.

We often refer to these as “wilderness seasons”. The fact is, we never welcome them. They’re uncomfortable and that’s really not what we’re looking for—especially after being so cozy in our last season of abundance! But oh, how necessary they are if what we desire is good fruit in our lives. We could rush it along and try to escape from it prematurely by taking matters into our own hands and forcing something that God never intended for us. Or…are we willing to trust Him and wait for His best?

Mmmm…waiting. Don’t we all just love to wait? Quite possibly the hardest thing for most of us to do. If only we could see all that God is doing beneath the surface—all the ways He’s preparing the soil for a bountiful harvest—we would be more inclined to embrace this season.

But these are the fields where strong and unshakeable faith is grown! “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1). These dry, dusty fields are so often the very place where submission is born and real trust is cultivated. Though we doubt we’d ever choose it, if it takes barrenness to get us moving our feet wholly towards Jesus, then so be it. And one day, when Spring is upon us again and the Summer fruit is oh so ripe, we’ll thank Him for the time He took to prepare the soil of our hearts.