Winter Reflections: A Season of Pruning, Isolation, and Growth
Odette
In case you missed it a few days ago, I shared that this year was a season of pruning for me—from head to toe. God saw the necessity to empty my cup so that He could work His plan in my life. Interestingly, this process led me to a period of subconscious isolation that I wasn't fully aware of. It wasn't until recently that I recognized the depth of my solitude and experienced feelings of loneliness. However, in reality, I wasn't alone, for God was always there. In the previous year, I discussed the concept of the "Winter Season" as a period of solitude, emphasizing it as a time for recovery and restoration, acknowledging the significance of rest. Today, I'd like to delve further into Winter as a season marked by isolation through the process of pruning.
In the winter season, we are familiar with the chill in the air, shorter days, and longer nights. Everything seems to come to a standstill during this time. Yet, consider this—winter can also be a season of "pruning." This implies that during your period of isolation and meditation, you are also undergoing a process of pruning, which involves cutting off or trimming back for better shape or more fruitful growth. Typically, during a direct season of pruning, you naturally withdraw from certain things and find yourself in your own company more often. It involves losing friends, engaging in self-evaluation and reflection, and coming to terms with various circumstances—the full nine yards.
What if I shared that during this winter season and the upcoming season within it, it's not just about meditating and isolating, but also about initiating a form of pruning in your life? Instead of seeking counsel from friends, turn to God. Consider refraining from discussing and updating people about your life and plans. Keep it between yourself and God, and perhaps, only share with your spiritual advisor if your spirit is led to do so. Step back from everything, including the drawing board. Take a moment to pause and assess what needs to be changed or added. Reevaluate the people in your circle—do they share the same timing and mindset as you? Are they aligned with your beliefs? Truth be told, some of you may need to reconsider your circle of influence. Perform a self-check. Are you in a good place mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually?
Trim away what no longer serves you. To be fruitful, you must cut away, perhaps taking on a new shape or form. It's not about changing who you are as a person, but about growing. The same old mindset and actions won't work in the New Year and season. Identify areas in your life that you want to improve, discard what's unnecessary, and keep what's essential. Embrace silence; not everyone needs to know what's going on with you—the Season of Silence just intensified. Rediscover yourself—your likes, dislikes, and the person you aspire to be. Don't be ashamed of it. Enjoy this winter season, but put in the required work as well.
Anyway… this Winter Season has unfolded as a transformative period marked by intentional pruning, isolation, and personal growth guided by God. Beyond the seasonal chill, it serves as an opportunity for deliberate self-evaluation, withdrawal, and confronting challenges. As we navigate the upcoming season within Winter, embracing intentional pruning means seeking God's counsel, maintaining privacy, and evaluating our circles. A crucial self-check on mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being is essential for a flourishing year. Trimming away what no longer serves us fosters personal fruitfulness and allows for new growth while preserving our core identity. This transformative Winter Season, with its intentional pruning and commitment to self-improvement, sets the stage for a year of restoration. Enjoy the journey—the Season of Restoration has begun.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.”
Happy Winter Season!!!
