The work of dormancy

The goodness of God can be overwhelming and incredibly humbling.

I remember moving from Charlotte, NC to Seattle, WA and leaving behind years of community, sacrifice, relationship, and life. I remember setting up a new home base and wondering if God saw me in this new space. I felt overlooked. I felt forgotten. I felt a lack of belonging. My desire was there, but my body was tired. And in honesty my heart was not prepared to step into what God had for me.

God called me to a season of rest. He called me to a season of dormancy.

He restores.

He renews.

The definition of of dormant is for normal functions to be slowed down. During those seasons of restoring and renewing God is also in the business of doing deep pruning. Like a dormant season of a living plant when the caretaker cuts off dead branches for new growth to begin. I felt dormant as I waited to step back into the work God is doing in the world. Feeling dormant can be just as exhausting as the exciting season of growth. In dormancy both recovery and preparation are happening. But dormancy is not glamorous or showy. Dormancy is the only way for the plant to be prepared for the season ahead. Dormancy is the only way to survive harsh seasons.

Don’t misjudge the season of dormancy. Great work is happening in you. God has not forgotten you – in fact, it is out of love and Divinity that He chose you for this season to be prepared for what is coming. Allow rest. Allow healing. Spend time preparing your heart and mind to be ready when it is time. But do not feel forgotten. He sees you.

“Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit.” John 15:2