The Gift of Seasons and Rhythms

Blog by Alan Fadling

Trees don’t produce fruit year-round, do they? They follow rhythms—seasons of growth, rest, fruitfulness, and renewal. Jesus used this imagery when he called himself the true vine and us the branches. He invites us not to strive endlessly but to abide—to stay rooted in him and trust the natural rhythms God has designed.

Living as a Tree, Not a Machine

 Unlike circuits that are wired for constant performance, we are created to flourish in cycles and seasons. We don’t operate best under nonstop pressure; we thrive when we work in alignment with the rhythms God has set. There are times of productivity and times of dormancy. There are seasons of fruitfulness and seasons of preparation. There are times for work and times for rest. All of this is the gift of God.

Ignoring these rhythms leads to exhaustion. But honoring them brings freedom. Just as a tree doesn’t panic when winter comes, we can learn to trust the times when we are called to slow down. True fruitfulness isn’t about constant production—it’s about growth that is healthy and sustainable. Fruit that lasts is measured in the long-term.

Recalibrating for Health, Not Just Efficiency

 The world values speed and efficiency, but God values depth, wholeness, and health. If we want to bear good fruit in our lives and work, we need to prioritize practices that nourish us. Jesus came that we might live life abundantly. He grieves when we try to live at a frantic, unsustainable pace.

So, what does it look like to recalibrate? It might mean:

• Setting boundaries around work and rest.
• Embracing Sabbath as a weekly rhythm of renewal.
• Listening to your body and soul when they signal exhaustion.
• Trusting that productivity flourishes in healthy habits, not in more and more work.

The Invitation to Flourish

 We are called to be fruitful, not just busy. When we learn to embrace the seasons God gives us, we can move from constant striving to a life that is rooted, steady, and full of peace. How might you begin to align your life with the rhythms God has designed?

For Reflection:

• What season of life do you find yourself in right now?
• Where have you been resisting God-given rhythms of work and rest?
• What is one small way you can embrace sustainable fruitfulness?