A Different Season

by Alexandra Copeland

We are entering a very different season when it comes to the things of God. Many of our spiritual teachers and leaders in the Christian faith have been released to now share this revelation with us. And for some of us, it will be a surprise; others will be incredibly enthusiastic about it, but most will ignore it and continue business as usual. It truly is the latter group that we must remain always prayerful about. We must know that there are countless numbers of individuals among us who cling to the idea of love, but not the beloved Himself. They like the thought of love, but do not hunger to know the One that IS love. In Revelation 3:16(NLT), God said of these individuals, “But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth!”  To be spit out by the Most Holy God, the Creator of All, is indeed the worse fate of any living thing.  

Make no mistake, our God loves us with a limitless, matchless love. We know this from His Word. 1John 4:8 tells us very clearly that love is not only what God does, love is who He is. You and I were created to be one with God; to know Him, love Him, and experience Him continually. We we’re created to be a part of His family, to be children of love and light, and to impact this physical world. He tells us in 1John 4:9 that He has shown His love by sending His one and only Son into the world so that you and I might live through him. Our mission is to live through Christ. 

We live in a world that is full of distractions, and we are inundated with multiple things at any given moment. In designing the bombardment of so many things, the enemy knew that many of us would become so scattered in our minds and hearts that we no longer remember what quietness is. We forfeit connection with God through Christ because we think that other things and people can satisfy a longing in our souls. Only God can give us what we need. We were created to be in constant communion with Him, so that we recognize His voice and follow His directives. 

After the last supper, the night that Jesus Christ was betrayed, he taught the disciples about staying connected to God through him, and how important it would be to keep that communion tight after he had left the earth. Jesus knew human nature. He knows that when things are challenging and difficult, some of us abandon our posts for quick pleasure and satisfaction. Instead of nurturing our souls through the Word of God, we soothe ourselves through self-medication and the philosophies of feel-good gurus. Colossians 2:10 tells us that we are complete in Christ, and everything we need for life and living can be found in him. 

In John 15, Jesus Christ used a lesson about fruit to teach the disciples about their responsibility and commitment to remain in him, so they would keep their connection to God strong. In John 15:1(NLT), he said, “I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener.” Everyone who claims to be a vine isn’t a vine, and everyone who claims to be true isn’t true. But our Master Jesus is the true grapevine, and his Father, our awesome Creator, is the gardener. A vine has many branches, and in John 15:2, Jesus Christ tells us that some of them will not produce fruit. Producing fruit is our M.O., our modus operandi or main occupation as believers. Those that are not in the business of producing fruit will get cut off, and those that are producing fruit will be pruned by the Gardener, so they can produce even more.  

The folks that are completely on the sidelines and have no interest in producing fruit will not notice the change in season that is upon us. But for those of us eager to please God and to grow in Christ, it is indeed time to prepare. We know the season of newness is here because of the changes we’ve endured and have yet to endure. Of late, some of us have really been through it, backs at times firmly planted against the wall, with only our faith in God and the assurance of His victory to hold us together. In this past season many of us were pruned, and some branches were cut off. In the season to come, our choice to stand firmly on the Lord’s side will be tested. Great numbers of those that have not clung to the Lord will fall away as well. Seeing so much happening around us will not be easy; but we must remain in Christ, stay focused on him and not be severed from the vine. This different season will not only press us to prove the perfect Will of God, it will test our allegiance and commitment to it. We must be ready.■ 

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.  

“A Different Season”, by Alexandra Copeland. Copyright© 2020. All rights reserved. All praise and honor to God through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.