February '24 Devotional

STICK SEASON

Did you know we’re in stick season? I didn’t know that was a thing other people called it. Thank you, social media, for validating me. But seriously... look outside. All the leaves are gone. The trees are just Sticks. It’s Stick season and, I love it!!

Not everyone is a fan of stick season. Especially if you’re from here. The Cali girl in me loves the seasons, because

 1. We don’t have real seasons in So Cal.

2. It’s just a season. About the time I’m over it, it’s over too.

3. Each season has its perks!

One of my favorite perks of stick season is how pretty the contrast is of the white snow on the dark branches. Another perk is the vantage point we’re given. You see through the trees and discover so much more. You can see how far back the land goes, cute ponds or streams, cabins, or beautiful homes that are normally hidden behind the trees full of leaves! Stick season is like a behind-the-scenes tour or backstage pass.

In nature, stick season serves a purpose. It gives the land and the trees a sabbatical. It’s a time of rest above ground before the birth of a new season.

Stick season is here, not just for nature. It’s here each year for us, too. It’s a Sabbath and a vantage point for us to see and hear God. The Sabbath is something God takes seriously. He gave it to us in Genesis. Jesus modeled getting away with the Father throughout the Gospels. God designed the sabbath for us because He loves us and wants us to know His heart through rest. Sabbath offers us a vantage point to see and hear God through rest.

Matthew 11:28-30 “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

I pray we will embrace this Sabbath season. May we lean into Jesus and learn the unforced rhythms of His grace. Living freely and lightly sounds so delicious but how? It’s only with you and through you. Teach us, Jesus. Amen.