Fours seasons but only one spring

The Golden State might boast diverse landscapes, but when it comes seasons, it feels like two: summer and slightly cooler summer

Chris Renzema is a Christian artist who has created many great songs but in this post I want to dive deep into one of his songs. Chris shares, “The heartbeat behind ‘Let the Ground Rest’ is the idea that growth comes from periods of rest, of barrenness… “It’s a process to exist, to learn and understand God’s love. While His love is not seasonal, we go through seasons as we understand and experience it. Spring is not spring without winter, and that process is a good thing.”

Here is the YouTube link for the song which I recommend listening to it before continuing reading

In the heart of technological innovation, Silicon Valley has become synonymous with the relentless pursuit of success. The “hustle culture” glorifies long hours, sleepless nights, and the idea that achievement is the ultimate measure of one’s worth. The pressure to innovate and disrupt has given rise to a work-centric lifestyle that often leaves little room for rest. God, the creator of the universe, resting on the seventh day stands in stark contrast to the Silicon Valley ethos of constant hustle and achievement. This dichotomy invites believers to reflect on the deeper importance of rest in the context of faith, purpose, and well-being.

The Christian faith emphasizes the importance of rest as a divine principle. In fact, Chrsitians are commanded to and it’s so important that it is included in the list of the Ten Commandments. 

⁸ “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. ⁹ Six days you shall labor and do all your work, ¹⁰ but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. ¹¹ For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. 

Exodus 20:8-11 NIV

Silicon Valley often celebrates the myth of constant productivity, portraying downtime as a condition reserved for the less ambitious. In contrast, the Sabbath stands as a counter-cultural invitation to pause, reflect, and acknowledge God’s sovereignty in the midst of life’s demands. It is not merely a pause between periods of productivity; it’s a recognition that human flourishing requires intentional rhythms of work and rest. Christianity acknowledges the human condition—our limitations and the need for regular renewal. Many things can fill our daily schedule: working, eating, doctors appointments, caring for kids/elderly parents, grocery shopping, catching up with friends, or watching your favorite sports teams. In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, Christians must be rooted in the principles of rest, growth, and understand God’s love. 

“True growth in the Christian life is not about climbing ladders but about deepening roots in the soil of God’s love.”

Eugene H. Peterson

While Silicon Valley champions the pursuit of groundbreaking achievements and the illustration of a climbing a ladder is used to describe a career journey, it’s easy to associate climbing a ladder with a spiritual journey. A spiritual journey is better understood as tending to a garden. As believers engage in prayer, study scripture, and keep the Sabbath, they cultivate the seeds of faith. Like a flourishing garden, the Christian life is marked by continuous growth, the blossoming of virtues, and the strengthening of the roots that connect individuals back to the Creator. Rest in Christ involves a surrender of the constant need to prove oneself through accomplishments, recognizing that ultimate fulfillment comes from aligning one’s life with God rather than societal expectations.

The song “Let The Ground Rest” by Chris Renzema is a powerful reminder that sometimes, it’s okay to wait and let things be. The lyrics describe the feeling of waiting for a breakthrough, it talks about the moments when we feel stuck, left behind or unsure of what to do next. The line “So don’t you find it strange? That God, He made four seasons and only one spring” is a metaphorical reminder that just as the earth needs time to rest and replenish before producing a new harvest, we also need time to rest and grow before we can flourish.

The chorus repeats the phrase “let the ground rest” as a message of hope and trust in God’s timing. It reminds us that growth takes time and to embrace the waiting as a necessary part of the journey.

In the bustling landscape of Silicon Valley, where achievement is paramount, and in the midst of our daily striving, God invites us to find rest in His presence, trusting that He is at work in our growth. The Sabbath provides a weekly opportunity to recalibrate our hearts and minds. The song beautifully puts together a message of hope and reassurance that even when things seem tough or stagnant, growth is possible if we are patient and allow ourselves time to rest .Christians’ call to Sabbath stands as a timeless invitation to experience a deeper, more meaningful rest that transcends the fleeting victories of the hustle culture.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)

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