Grow in Winter

Winter can be a tough time of year physically and spiritually. But God wants us to grow and produce fruit—even in winter!

I received a Christmas card that said, “Merry Christmas, I hope the season of giving lasts throughout the new year.” What is it about this time of year? They say, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year.” But is it really? This is the darkest time of year in the northern hemisphere. It is by far the most depressing. The days are shorter and the nights are longer.

People say it’s focused on giving. That’s the “Christmas spirit,” they say. But when you really look, it’s a selfish time focused on get rather than give.

This is basically the off-season for God’s holy days. The Feast of Tabernacles was several months ago, and Passover is still several months away. And what all do we have to deal with during that time? Halloween, Christmas, New Year’s Day, Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, etc. There is quite a dark veil on the world during this time of year.

Imagining the Millennium

The world just doesn’t see what we see. One thing I like to imagine is a weekly Sabbath service in the Millennium. I imagine that everybody will gather together in local meeting halls, which will not be an hour-plus away, but virtually around the corner. And perhaps sometimes the sermon will be given by Jesus Christ and heard all around the world. Oh, and all the hymns might be led by King David on his harp!

What a wonderful time to look forward to!

We have to firmly have our minds set on the Kingdom of God and our focus on growing to become the person we need to be to make it to the Kingdom. During the winter months, this is especially important. For us as firstfruits, this is the time of year when we must continue to grow. We have to grow through the winter and through the trials and discouragement of this present evil world and make ourselves ready for the harvest in the spring.

Growth is not optional

We have to make an effort. We have to humble ourselves and seek God with our whole heart. God wants us to grow. Do we desire it? We have to strive to be like Him. We have to change. God expects us to bear fruit. We have to be doing our part.

God expects us to grow and improve. He requires us to grow. It is not optional. Our part is to obey God. The only thing that can restrict our growth is us. We must be careful how we live our lives. We have to make the most of every opportunity.

When God sees us doing what we can to grow, He will provide the increase. “He who has begun a good work in you will complete it” (Philippians 1:6). We can only do so much. We have to trust and rely on God to do the rest.

David described God’s blessing of growth: “You visit the earth and water it, You greatly enrich it; the river of God is full of water; You provide their grain, for so You have prepared it. You water its ridges abundantly, You settle its furrows; You make it soft with showers, You bless its growth” (Psalm 65:9-10). This description of physical growth is also a type of spiritual growth that God supports. He earnestly wants us to grow.

Making the best of winter

There are many people who just do not like winter. It’s cold and harsh. It limits many aspects of life. We have to drive slower and more carefully. We can’t stay outside as long. It limits the number of tasks we can complete. It’s just not a real fun time. One thing we need to be doing year round, but also during these winter months, is growing.

Winter is certainly a difficult time to grow. But we have help. God gives us the power and strength to do so. He gives us the gift of His Spirit. God works in us through His Spirit to help us overcome and put on righteousness. But we have to use it.

This age is a tough time when few have been called to live God’s way of life. But those who are called are expected to grow in godly, righteous character, even in the midst of trials and tribulations. “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:15-16).

Make the most of the evil days, by growing and producing fruit that pleases God!

Johnathan Armstrong attends the Little Rock, Arkansas, congregation of the Church of God, a Worldwide Association, and is a graduate student working on his doctorate in physics.