Just read a wonderful piece by Mike Cope about how we experience and express our faith in very different ways: enjoy!
Do you ever feel out of place with fellow believers—perhaps like no one “gets” you? It may simply be that you are a “winter believer” while they are “summer believers ” (or vice versa). Let me explain …
Summer believers are confident that God is still doing great things. They have regular reports of what God is doing, what God has taught them, what God has “put on my heart.” They worry about the deistic tendencies they see of others who don’t share their perspective. Faith makes sense, the world works pretty much like they’d expect. They have stories of amazing ways God has healed, provided money, sent specific guidance, etc. They want an upbeat worship style that reflects the joyous news that God is already alive in the world.
Winter believers are convinced that God is God. But they often walk in doubt and mystery. They feel like they’re not “in on” all the amazing stuff people say is happening to them. They don’t hear regularly from God. The problem of evil and suffering seems vexing. Their observation is that people with faith are healed at just about the exact same rate as those who have no faith. They read the dark journal of Mother Teresa, well up with tears, and nod. They prefer a worship style that recognizes the strong dose of “not yet” that we currently experience as we groan and wait.
What would it mean for us to live together in peace? What if…
…Winter believers prayed for their summer brothers and sisters, willingly listened to their confidence in God, decided to assume the best about their spiritual journey, refused to label them, and entered into their expressions of worship (for the sake of the other)?
…Summer believers prayed for their winter brothers and sisters, willingly listened to their questions, decided to assume the best about their spiritual journey, refused to label them, and entered into their expressions of worship (for the sake of the other)?
A mark of maturity is when we realize that we are not the standard by which others are measured. There is actually strength in our diversity. Perhaps together we can shoot for, say, autumn. And that doesn’t sound bad!
Mike Cope is a minister, author, lecturer, and prolific writer whose blog, preachermike.com, has been visited by four million people in the past six years. A widely respected national figure in Churches of Christ, Cope will direct Pepperdine’s Bible Lectures program beginning May 5, 2012.
Heather Choate Davis 
Dear Heather, I had not heard of summer and winter believers before. My first reaction is that once upon a time, I may have appeared as a summer believer, but that a past chronic illness, a decade of losses and the good caregiving years with my mom changed me to a winter believer. Since about 1995, I’ve been reading the Psalms aloud, and they seem to integrate both experiences. Sorrow does turn to joy in Him. Also, you mentioned your memoir recently and I plan to read it too. These are just spontaneous thoughts. Blessings, Ellen
Dear Ellen,
I’m glad the Psalms have brought you peace in your suffering. I had a practice many years ago of singing the Psalms aloud which is said to be a salve for the passions. I have to say it really was. I remember it as a very rich season. As you are such a steady presence on my blog I will remember to keep you in my prayers. Wishing you joy and perhaps even a return to being a summer believer:)
Heather
What a great thought – meet each other in the middle….in autumn! We also need to remember that Jesus clearly met people where they were and simply had a conversation with them. God wants our genuine selves, even with our questions, doubts and struggles. If we aren’t “ready” for God because we are trudging through the snow, perhaps he wants us to share with each other over some apple cider.
I love your reminder that God wants our genuine selves. This is the thing I think we all tend to forget, especially when we are in stages of life where we feel especially unworthy of his love.