God and my journal listened as I poured out my heart in the early spring sun. I wrestled on paper with the mixed emotions I felt regarding my current season. I was so grateful — for my husband of just a year-and-a-half and the bright hope of our life together, for lovely new friends, and for the privilege of managing my own home.
Yet at the same time I was sad. I missed the friends I’d moved away from in order to begin this adventure, and some of the “adventure” I’d experienced of late had come in the form of difficult relationships and struggling to find my place.
The season of my life prior to this one admittedly had a “charmed” quality. It was not without challenges, but in large measure I’d had it easy. My job and ministry position were in my wheelhouse, and the people I loved had loved me. I was thriving. But now?
To be honest, my current state more closely resembled surviving.
My reverie was interrupted by a sudden gust of wind, which blew a plastic plant tag near my feet. I picked up the tag and examined it. Underneath a photo of a red tulip were two graphics of a sun — one was yellow, and the other was half yellow and half shaded. Accompanying the suns was the phrase “sun to part shade.”
Immediately I was reminded of a powerful spiritual truth: for believers in Jesus, circumstances do not determine outcomes. Where my circumstances were concerned, the season prior to this was one of full sun, and my current season was one of part shade, but like a beautiful spring tulip in full bloom God could make me thrive regardless.
I continued to read the tag: “Care: Best in fertile soil.” I’d recently read Jesus’ words about fertile soil in Luke 8. In a parable He described what happened to seed that fell on a path among rocks and among thorns. Then He said,
“Still other seed fell on fertile soil. This seed grew and produced a crop that was a hundred times as much as had been planted!” {Luke 8:8}
Jesus then explained that the seed represented the Word of God and the various types of soil the heart-conditions of the hearers. Regarding the fertile soil He said,
“And the seeds that fell on the good soil represent honest, good-hearted people who hear God’s word, cling to it and patiently produce a huge harvest.” {Luke 8:15}
The outcome of each season of my life is determined by what I do with the Word of God in it.
In order to thrive I need to do three things:
1. Hear God’s Word. There are many fabulous ways to “hear” the Word — sermons, Bible studies, podcasts, books, and blogs to name a few. However, nothing replaces reading God’s Word for myself!
2. Cling to God’s Word. The Word is my lifeline, my playbook, my love letter from my Father and my standard for truth. I’ve got to take my hearing to the next level by praying the Word, memorizing it, meditating on it, and doing what it says.
3. Patiently produce a huge harvest. A huge harvest sounds great to me, but the word I need to lean into here is patiently. God will use my faithful implementation of His Word, but He’s not necessarily working according to my schedule! If I can be patient, He’ll produce a harvest in and through me that’s bigger and better than I could ever have manufactured.
What kind of season are you in? Maybe all is well, and you’re in a season of full sun. Perhaps you’re dealing with both awesome and not-so-awesome things, and you’re experiencing part shade. Or maybe you’re in an extremely challenging season, and you can’t see any sunlight at all. No matter where you are, take comfort in the knowledge that God sees you, and He wants you to thrive like a gorgeous spring flower in full bloom.
Your job is simple: hear God’s Word, cling to it, and patiently produce a huge harvest.
Leave a Comment
Michele Morin says
My gardener’s heart loves this post, and looking at my garden (and my life), I’d say that I’m in a season of weeds, a time of looking carefully at each greening thing that is sprouting from the soil and either nurturing it, hilling it up with rich loamy soil — or yanking it out by the roots so that it won’t choke out the intended planting.
God is so good to speak to us through the incidental and beautiful happenings in His created world. Thanks for sharing your lesson in thriving.
Rachel Regier says
Thank you, Michele! He definitely is good to speak to us in many different ways that our hearts can understand. Blessings as you continue to intentionally weed the garden of your life!
Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Rachel,
I love the gardening analogy. So true, that even with sunshine and rain, no plant will grow unless it is rooted in fertile soil. That soil of course being God’s Word. So many times I get caught thinking my plants/faith will grow with two out of the tree ingredients, but being in the Word is perhaps the most vital ingredient of all. I needed this post to challenge me about my time spent in the Word…that’s where my joy and help comes from.
Blessings,
Bev
Rachel Regier says
Me too, Bev! Sometimes it seems easier to journal, listen to a sermon, etc. than to read and study the Word…but when I skip the Word, I totally miss out! Reminding myself too. 🙂
Kelly says
These three gardening tips are applicable no matter what season of life we are in. It all starts with God’s Word. As we spend time getting nourished, God is so faithful to grow us up no matter the season. Thanks, Rachel!
Rachel Regier says
He is faithful indeed. Thanks, Kelly!
Graham says
Today, I’m in a season of part shade. I know that God wants what’s best for me, & that this season of my life will not last always. The weeds in my garden have been thriving & trying to overtake the beautiful flowers there. Little by little, I’ve been trying to pull all the weeds up. When I think I’ve got the weeds under control so that my beautiful flowers can thrive, the weeds come right back. So, as I allow my tears to nourish the soil of my garden. ..I know that my divine Gardener can restore that which has been lost or take that which is broken & make it into something beautiful. “He has made everything beautiful in its time” (Ecclesiastes 3:11). Thanks for sharing this beautiful post.
Rachel Regier says
Graham, it’s not easy, huh? I think you make a great point that the Gardener–God Himself!–is the one who ultimately weeds, prunes, restores, and grows. May He begin to reveal beauty in your brokenness, and may you rest in His care as you journey through this season and on into the next.
Joanna @ Modern Ruth Project says
Thanks very much for the post! I am definitely in a season of sun to part shade – sometimes I feel like I hit both in the same day! But you gave me a good reminder that all things have their season.
Rachel Regier says
Sometimes I feel like that too, Joanna! It’s good to know that we are not alone and God is faithful.
Mary T says
Rachel, I am feeling that God wrote your words for me today…reflecting back to times of sun but knowing I am sheltered in the shade by a God who has a plan for me…in faith, hope, love, joy…and patience. God bless!
Rachel Regier says
Mary, I’m so glad you were encouraged, and blessings to you as well!
An says
Rachel, I am so grateful to the Lord for these gentle words. As I go through a hard season of planting, pruning, and uprooting, the Lord is the tender Gardener in the soil of my soul. He asks me to savor each word of truth, let it sink deep into the soil. I struggle with patience, but you are so right that He is ‘not according to my schedule.” How gracious our Father to teach us patience. I am so grateful for each reply here that bring new perceptions and learning. May we each feel the life-filled hand of our Master Gardener today touching our soil with His love, grace, and mercy 🙂
Rachel Regier says
An, thanks for sharing your heart with us here. Praying you continue to experience the Lord’s tenderness in your current season, and asking God for a teachable, patient heart for you…and me too! 🙂
Rebecca Jones says
I love the phrase privilege to manage my own house. So many people wouldn’t look at it that way, more as a chore.The same is true of ourselves, our spiritual house, I never knew until recently that that ground has to stay fertile, it not a one time event when you’re born again but a continuing process to stay good ground.
Rachel Regier says
That’s a great point, Rebecca! It’s easy to coast spiritually, but it takes intentionality to remain fruitful. May we be willing to do the work!
Nancy Ruegg says
When I came to the part of your post about the tag and its “sun to part shade” instruction, I wondered what meaning you could possibly draw from its message. But God revealed plenty to you that day–a personal, meaningful message for you and for us. Thank you, Rachel. I, too, will seek to be patient and attentive, so God can produce a harvest through me, in the soil where I’m planted this season!
Rachel Regier says
Thank you, Nancy, and blessings to you!
Jas says
Oh Rachel, your post spoke to me, God spoke to me through your post. Last night I discovered through social media a group of friends out having a good time, it turns out it was an old friends birthday and I was no invited… But instead of getting jealous I really thought about how it’s been a long time since I connected with this friend and the other friends around her, it made me feel sad and alone for sure but also made me realise I have cut myself off from a lot of these people by staying in my own bubble and not nurturing any of my past friendships…things have to change. Instead of being depressed God has given me eyes to see, I am in a season or have been of part shade close to dark. I need to open my heart to him and provide good soil not rocks at the same time nurture my relationship with Him and He will look after the rest. I need to make an effort with my friendships and with my life as a whole. Please pray for me that I will read and understand what God is saying to me and properly interpret it in the right way.
Rachel Regier says
Hi, Jas. It’s so hurtful to be excluded–sorry you’re going through that! It’s awesome that God has opened your eyes to some new things, and know that the same Holy Spirit who gave you that insight will be with you as you read His Word, helping you to understand what it means and how to walk it out! (John 14:26) You’re right–when we focus our hearts primarily on nurturing our relationship with God, it affects everything else in our lives for the better! (Matt. 6:33) I have to remind myself of that too. 🙂 Praying for you now.
Caroline says
The thought of not seeing any sunlight brought to mind that a seed is planted in black soil in a dark hole with no sun. Only watered and nurtured the seed sprouts and grows towards the sun. Thank you for a very insightful post.
Rachel Regier says
Caroline, you’re so right! Creation has endless helpful analogies for us. I love that!
Beth Williams says
Rachel,
Great analogy. It is simple to watch TV preachers, listen to podcasts, etc. God instructs us to be “in” the Word. He wants us to plant the Word deep into our hearts. My big problem is waiting patiently for the harvest. I usually want immediate results. We need to stay connected to the vine & allow the vinedresser to prune us as He sees fit.
Blessings 🙂
Rachel Regier says
That’s my challenge too, Beth! Blessings in your patient waiting. 🙂
Kathy ... aka Nana says
Excellent message! I’m in full shade right now (stage IV ovarian cancer) but am determined to let Jesus shine to bring some light into my life.
Rachel Regier says
Wow, Kathy, you certainly are in full shade, but you are obviously letting Jesus shine brightly through you! We need that kind of testimony–it can’t be denied. Keep shining brightly, my friend! Prayers and blessings.