Seasonal Changes

Have you ever stopped to notice the changes in nature as it goes from one season into the other? Did you know that the changes in the climate can affect the manner in which our entire body functions? Throughout the 365 days of the year, our small blue planet experiences many changes daily.  Our water levels are slowly receding, polar ice caps are slowly melting, grape-fruit sized hail stones are falling from the sky, and some tectonic plates are sliding past each other. These small changes in nature affect our behaviour and cognitive skills. Let us explore how a change of climate may impact our daily lives.

A season is a sub-division of the year, marked by changes in weather, ecology, and hours of daylight. Seasons result from the yearly revolution of the Earth around the Sun and the tilt of the Earth's axis relative to the plane of revolution. In Temperate and Polar Regions, the seasons are marked by changes in the intensity of sunlight that reaches the Earth's surface, variations of which may cause animals to go into hibernation or to migrate, and plants to be dormant.

During May, June, and July, the northern hemisphere is exposed to more direct sunlight because the hemisphere faces the sun. The same is true of the southern hemisphere in November, December, and January. It is the tilt of the Earth that causes the Sun to be higher in the sky during the summer months which increases the solar flux. However, due to seasonal lag, June, July, and August are the hottest months in the northern hemisphere and December, January, and February are the hottest months in the southern hemisphere. In temperate and sub-polar regions, generally four calender-based seasons are recognized: spring, summer, autumn, and winter. 

 At the dawn of the first day in the New Year our minds are awaken and refreshed. We start writing down our New Year resolutions. In January, we are still experiencing the winter season. The days are shorter and the nights are longer. During this season, some persons wear an extra layer of clothing to trap the heat within our body to generate warmth. In some countries, with winter comes snow and temperatures fall as low as -29˚C. To survive the harshness of the winter, many animals adapt morphological and different behavioural patterns for overwintering. Some of these include hibernation, resistance, and migration. As with animals, so too does humans change.

During our Christian pathway, we sometimes get crippled by the sins that so easily beset us. Everyone has a weakness that we all need to resist. In order to overcome temptation, we must take daily strides to strengthen our resistance against sin. We were born in sin and shaped in iniquity, but that does not determine the path that our lives must take. Once we grant God the permission to take full control of our lives, He will forever lead us in the right direction.

Spring is one of the four temperature seasons, the transition time between winter and summer. Spring and springtime refer to the season. It also associates to ideas of rebirth, renewal and regrowth. During spring, the birds have awakened and their newborns have all hatched, the flowers begin to bloom flamboyantly displaying their colours and the trees are blossoming as well. Similarly as Christians we need to follow likewise. Our minds need the constant renewal of God’s word. This will foster the growth and development of our lives as Christians.

Summer is the warmest of the four temperate seasons, between spring and autumn. At the summer solstice (an astronomical event that happens twice each year when the Sun reaches its highest position in the sky as seen from the North or South Pole), the days are longest and the nights are shortest, with day-length decreasing as the season progresses after the solstice. During this time of the year, we often find enjoyable ways in which we can cool down. Conversely as Christians we need to cool down by meditating on God’s grace. Since many persons take vacations at this time of year, it is the ideal time for us to schedule family time. Family time includes bonding, sharing, and creating new memories.

Why not bond with God? He is the key member of our family. He is our Creator - the one who gives life. He yearns to be integrated of our daily lives. Include Him today and see the greatness that can be fulfilled when we allow Him to take full control.

Mikki Clarke