According to Wikipedia: Winter is the coldest season of the year, between autumn and spring. It has the shortest days and longest nights. As we experience the seasons physically it is a natural progression to take time to examine one's life. Often times we forget to be still. Even in this picture creation appears to be still. Yet deep in the root of the trees and the earth there is life awaiting it's explosion into spring! To survive the harshness of winter, many animals have developed different behavioral and morphological adaptations for overwintering:
- Migration is a common effect of winter upon animals, notably birds. However, the majority of birds do not migrate—the cardinal and European Robin, for example. Some butterflies also migrate seasonally.
- Hibernation is a state of reduced metabolic activity during the winter. Some animals "sleep" during winter and only come out when the warm weather returns; e.g., gophers, frogs, snakes, and bats.
- Some animals store food for the winter and live on it instead of hibernating completely. This is the case for squirrels, beavers, skunks, badgers, and raccoons.
- Some Annual plants never survive the winter. Other annual plants require winter cold to complete their life cycle, this is known as vernalization. As for perennials, many small ones profit from the insulating effects of snow by being buried in it. Larger plants, particularly deciduous trees, usually let their upper part go dormant, but their roots are still protected by the snow layer.
Summary: Just like the animals and plants, all nature/creation are filled with examples of rest, growth and living. We can learn from this. Examine your ministry, life, family, and your walk. Our push in the coming year has to be a renewed interest in evangelism and discipleship. We are pushed and pressed to tell others about our Yeshua-Jesus Christ. We invite you to prepare for Stretch and Strengthing January 2010.
Blessings:
CNIC-Staff