Growing in Grace: Recognizing Your Season of Faith

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be always acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer. Lord, give us eyes to see and ears to hear so that we can learn your word together as a family. We give you all the praise and honor and glory for it, in Jesus’ holy name.

Opening: From Soil to Seedling

Good morning again, my fellow encouragers. Last week, we talked about soil preparation - how our hearts need the nutrients of prayer, scripture, community, and service to remain fertile ground for God’s Word. We learned that even the finest seed cannot thrive in neglected ground. But what happens after the soil is prepared? What comes next in God’s garden?

Well, growth begins. And that’s where we find ourselves today in part two of our “Rooted” series. The apostle Paul gives us a beautiful picture in First Corinthians chapter 3, verse 6: “I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.”

Here we see the divine partnership in spiritual growth: human cooperation with divine grace. The soil has been prepared, the seed has been planted, and now comes the patient, gradual process of growing into spiritual maturity.

The Divine Growth Partnership

St. Paul continues in verses 7 through 9: “So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.”

Notice what Paul is teaching us here. Spiritual growth is not a solo endeavor. It’s a partnership. Paul planted the gospel seed in Corinth. Apollos came later and watered that seed through his teaching and encouragement. But neither Paul nor Apollos could make anything grow. Only God gives the increase.

This is crucial for us to understand as encouragers. We can plant seeds of faith through our witness. We can water the seeds others have planted through our prayers and support. But we cannot manufacture spiritual growth in ourselves or others. That’s God’s work alone. Our job is to be faithful partners in the process, recognizing that growth happens in God’s timing, not ours.

Spring Season: The Tender Shoot

Just as Jane and I watch for the first green shoots in our garden beds each spring, we too can recognize the spring season of faith … those tender early days of spiritual life. St. Peter describes this beautifully: “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.”

The spring season of faith is marked by hunger. A deep desire for God’s word, for prayer, for fellowship. New believers often have an enthusiasm that can put the rest of us to shame. They ask questions we’ve forgotten to ask. They see wonder in truths we’ve grown accustomed to.

If you’re in this season, embrace that hunger. Don’t apologize for your questions or your enthusiasm. You’re exactly where God wants you to be. And if you’re further along in your journey, remember your own spring season. Look for those tender shoots around you and nurture them with patience and joy.

Summer Season: The Growing Plant

The summer season of faith is the watering time. It’s the season of discipleship and steady growth. St. Paul writes in Colossians 2:6-7: “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.”

This is the season where the Anglican rhythm of life becomes so important: the daily office, regular worship, and consistent study of scripture. It’s not always exciting growth. Sometimes it feels slow, even mundane. But this is where spiritual muscle is built, where roots go deep.

In Ephesians 4:15, St. Paul speaks of “growing up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.” The summer season is about growing up. It’s about developing spiritual maturity through consistent practices and faithful obedience. If you’re in this season, don’t despise the daily disciplines. They’re building something beautiful in you, even when you can’t see it.

Autumn Season: The Maturing Tree

The autumn season of faith is harvest time. It’s when years of growth begin bearing fruit for others. Paul prays in Ephesians 3:17-19 that we might be “rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God.”

This is spiritual maturity, not perfection, but fruitfulness. The autumn believer has weathered storms, endured seasons of drought, and learned to trust God’s faithfulness. They’ve moved from asking “What can I get from God?” to “How can I serve God’s people?”

Colossians 3:15-17 describes this season: “Let the peace of God rule in your hearts… let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another… And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus.” The autumn believer becomes a source of wisdom and encouragement for others.

Winter Season: The Pruning Time

But here’s what’s important to understand. Winter seasons can come at any stage of our spiritual journey. Winter is the pruning time. It’s when God allows difficulty, loss, or spiritual dryness to cut away what hinders our growth.

Jesus himself said in St. John’s Gospel 15:2, “Every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.” Winter seasons are not a punishment. They’re preparation for greater fruitfulness.

Whether you’re a new believer facing your first real trial or a seasoned saint walking through loss or disappointment, remember that winter is not the end of the story. God is at work even when we cannot see or feel His presence. The pruning may be painful, but it’s purposeful.

Recognizing Your Current Season

So how do we recognize our current season? Here are some markers to consider:

Are you hungry for God’s word and eager to learn? You may be in the spring.

Are you developing consistent spiritual disciplines and growing in understanding? You’re likely in the summer.

Are you finding yourself naturally mentoring others and bearing fruit in service? You may be in autumn.

Are you walking through difficulty but still trusting God’s goodness? You’re experiencing winter’s pruning work.

The key is this: every season has its purpose, and every season has its beauty. Don’t rush through spring wishing you were in autumn. Don’t despise winter, longing for summer. God meets us in every season with exactly what we need for that time.

The Encourager’s Role in Each Season

As encouragers, we’re called to recognize not only our own season but the seasons of those around us. Like St. Barnabas, who saw potential in St. Paul when others saw only a threat, we look for where God is already at work and nurture it.

To those in spring, we offer patient teaching and gentle guidance. To those in summer, we provide accountability and encouragement to keep growing. To those in autumn, we receive their wisdom and support their ministry. To those in winter, we offer presence and remind them of God’s faithfulness.

Remember, we’re all laborers together with God. Sometimes we plant, sometimes we water, but God always gives the increase. Our job is to be faithful in whatever role He gives us in His garden.

Closing: Patient Growth in God’s Timing

My fellow encouragers, spiritual growth is not a race to be won but a journey to be embraced. God is not in a hurry with you. He’s not frustrated with your progress or disappointed in your pace. He’s the master gardener who knows exactly what each plant needs and when it needs it.

As we prepare to come to His table this morning, bring your current season to Him. Whether you’re a tender shoot reaching for the light, a growing plant being watered by His word, a mature tree bearing fruit for others, or a branch being pruned for greater fruitfulness, He meets you exactly where you are.

The same Jesus who said “I am the vine, ye are the branches” invites you to abide in Him. In that abiding, in that staying connected to the source of all life, growth happens naturally, beautifully, and in His perfect timing.

Next week, we’ll explore how our roots go deep through the storms of life. But today, simply rest in this truth: you are God’s garden, His workmanship, and He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.