He (Jesus) told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field.  Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.”

Matthew 13:31-32 

“God, I know you’re with me, but it hurts. It hurts so bad. It’s been so long, and I’m still waiting. Please do something. I’m asking you again, please, change this for me. I hurt.”

The prayers of a man who understands God’s grace, compassion, good plans and love, flow out once again to His Creator’s ears…yet…silence is all he feels.

“Father, I know I don’t have to feel anything, I know you are with me and you love me, but I’m asking you again today to please fix this. I trust you, and I know that whatever you decide, I’ll be more than fine. But I want this. I want this season to pass. I want you to answer this prayer how I’m asking you to, and please do it quickly. If you choose not to, for whatever reason, strengthen me. I love you.”

The conversation continues for just a while longer, and then the man gets on with his day. 

Prayer. Prayer is so important. Prayer allows us to communicate with God. Like a child who talks to their loving parent and trusts them, we too have this right with our Maker. However, this devotional isn’t about prayer, but instead, it’s about the cold, windy, dormant seasons of life. As we experience such, prayer keeps us warm inside. Each and every prayer is but a log on the fire in our souls.

Dormant seasons are necessary in the wilderness. Although we may not see anything happening, a lot is happening underground and in the plants, insects, and animals. Not on the outside, but inside, things are very busy–same with us as children of God. We don’t like the cold seasons, we want to always be seeing and feeling growth. We want to constantly be enjoying a harvest.

But in order to be able to reap a harvest, sowing must take place, there is no way around it. To become fully mature, we must understand God’s process of allowing the seed of His Spirit to germinate inside of us. If we are patient, we will benefit greatly. If we aren’t, we will live in misery because we don’t see or feel anything happening.

Paul knew such a season would come to the Christians in Corinth, he understood they would experience dry times. For this reason he wanted them to focus on the truth of what they knew, rather than on the dread of what they saw:

“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7)

We have to focus on God’s love for us, faith is what allows this to happen. Faith is a knowing, not a feeling. It is a knowing that no matter how trying times may be, we are still infinitely loved by God. As we continue to water our lives with this truth, dormant seasons can be used in a positive way. Even Jesus faced a dormant season as He begged the Father to come up with another way to save the world from sin…but God said, “No.” (See Matthew 26:39).

So by looking to His example, and because He lives in us, during our own difficult seasons of life we must remember that God still cares. We must remember that He still has a good overall plan for all of humanity–the Cross proves this! What seemed like the darkest day in history was actually preparation for the most beautiful! That difficult event allowed the kingdom of God to be inside of us, right now, today! Not when we die, but now! (See Mark 1:15, Matthew 13).

Solomon, who was named by Jesus as a man filled with splendor (see Matthew 6:29), had wisdom that was unmatched. He wrote about the seasons of life in Ecclesiastes:

Balance. Solomon was wise because he knew about being well-balanced. The seasons of life bring balance to us all. They are constantly changing but constantly causing growth through balance. On this side of the Cross, the Holy Spirit counsels us all day long…into balance.

Friend, give it time. God has not forgotten about you. He understands your situation deeper than even you do, and He loves you. You are His child. Allow this season of difficulty to teach you how to enjoy life as it is. Joy is inside you! It really is! Joy comes from within all children of God! I’m not talking about happiness, happiness is based on your circumstances. I’m talking about something which is a part of your supernatural genetic make-up: joy.

Paul tells the Galatians that joy will grow in their lives as they simply be themselves and walk by the Spirit of God! (See Galatians 5). You are a joyful person because God is enmeshed with your spirit! I’m not saying put on a fake smile and act like nothing is wrong–no way, be real! I’m saying remember who is in you, God. I’m saying remember who will never leave you, God. I’m saying, always keep things in perspective because the Creator of the universe uses all things together for good! Every single season of your life will produce something wonderful, even if you never get to see it on this side of heaven! (See Romans 8:28, Hebrews 11).

So today, my friends, do this: Enjoy your dormant seasons! Enjoy them! Major changes are happening beneath the surface! Stuff is moving around and getting shifted into place! A metamorphosis is occurring in your mind! What is in you is getting prepped to come out! Give it time, give it truth, and more than anything, ENJOY YOUR LIFE!

A prayer for you: Good morning, Dad. Thank you for another day alive, I am grateful! As silly as it sounds to my own ears, I also want to thank you for dormant seasons because I know you are doing great things! Right now, I lift up all who are reading this, directly to you. So many of them are in deep pain, and you know that. They’ve been praying to you for a very long time and they want a breakthrough. Father, please give it to them. Let this season pass and a season of harvest come quickly. But whatever you decide, help them to understand you are with them and you’ll never leave them. Help them to realize dormant seasons are vital for our maturity in you. We want to know more about our spiritual perfection, so teach us. Teach us how to respond to pain in the proper way. Teach us how to stay focused on your promises, and our heavenly heritage. Teach us who we really are as heaven-ready saints. But God, more than anything, teach us how to enjoy our lives in the midst of trouble. We want to be authentic and show the world what the Sons and Daughters of God really look like! We want to be well-balanced on the outside, because we know who we are on the inside! We love you and we trust you. During every season you bring us to, we will be positive, real, and patient. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

This devotional is from 60 Days for Jesus, Volume 3. Get your copy here! 

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