Winter Season – What do you think?

As I was out and about last week I caught bits and pieces of a conversation on Moody Radio with Mark Buchanan. The discussion was about the seasons of life, especially those times when we find ourselves in the winter, a time of dormancy. Mr. Buchanan made the comparison to fruit trees that spend a period of time when no fruit is produced. I understood him to say that it was OK if we had extended periods of time (our winters) when we saw no fruit being produced for the kingdom. Immediately my mind went to the passage from Mark when Jesus was hungry and encountered a dormant fig tree.

Mark 11:12 The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. 13 Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. 14 Then he said to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard him say it…..20 In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. 21 Peter remembered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!”

Two questions I would seek your input on:

1. If you heard the conversation fully (I only heard bits and pieces) di I misunderstand the conversation.
2. Does the passage in Mark call us to be in the fruit-producing business in all seasons of our life?

I have often heard people say they are “taking a break” from various serving roles. I understand the need for proper balance in one’s life and the required skill of saying NO to keep from becoming overwhelmed, but are we not called to give our all to the Lord and be serving Him at all times as long as we are drawing breath?