What do you think?
Rate this book
Spiritual Rhythm: Being with Jesus Every Season of Your Soul
"Abide in me," Jesus tells us, "and you will bear much fruit." Yet too often we forget that fruit needs different seasons in order to grow. We measure our spiritual maturity by how much we do rather than how we are responding to our current spiritual season. In Spiritual Rhythm , Mark Buchanan replaces our spirituality of busyness with a spirituality of abiding. Sometimes we are busy, sometimes still, sometimes pushing with all we've got, sometimes waiting. This model of the spiritual life measures and produces growth by Are we living in rhythm with the season we are in? With the lyrical writing for which he is known, Mark invites us to respond to every season of the heart, whether we are flourishing and fruitful, stark and dismal, or cool and windy. In comparing spiritual rhythms to the seasons of the year, he shows us what to expect from each season and how embracing the seasons causes our spiritual lives to prosper. As he draws on the powerful words of Scripture, Mark explores what activities are suitable or necessary in each season--and what activities are useless or even harmful in that season. Throughout the book, Mark weaves together stories of young and old, men and women, families, couples, and individuals who are in or have been through a particular season of the heart. As Mark writes, "I pray that this book meets you in whatever season you're in, and prepares you for whatever seasons await. I pray that it helps you find your voice, your stride, your rhythm, in season or out. Mostly, I pray that you, with or without my help, find Christ wherever you are. And that, even more, you discover that wherever you are, he's found you."
336 pages, Hardcover
First published August 6, 2010
108 people are currently reading
841 people want to read
About the author
Mark Buchanan
50 books201 followersMark Buchanan lives in Calgary, Alberta, with his wife, Cheryl. They have three adult children, Adam, Sarah, and Nicola. He was a longtime pastor, an author of many books, and now serves as a professor at Ambrose University College in Calgary.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
Read
February 12, 2018Mark Buchanan says in the introduction to Spiritual Rhythm that "this is not a book to be devoured." This could not be more true. It would be impossible to rush through this book, even if you tried.
The best thing about Buchanan's book is his prose. His books are right there alongside all of the other popular authors, but his writing stands head and shoulders above them all. There are no choppy sentences that run on and on, yet never describe anything. To read Buchanan's words describing the seasons of British Columbia is to read poetry. I've never encountered a Christian writer that treats authoring a book as a work of art, but this is what Buchanan does.
Buchanan believes that just as nature cycles through four seasons, so does your soul. There are times when life is bleak and cold. There are times when there are new beginnings. There are times of warmth, and times to harvest. There is no way to speed through these seasons, just as there is no way to make winter pass more quickly or summer last just a few weeks longer. The key is understanding which season you are in, and engaging in activities that are healthy in that season. Buchanan relates this personally, as he began this book in response to the death of a close friend.
There are poems interspersed throughout the book, and dozens of spiritual activities that can help you develop a rhythm. The book is divided into two parts, the first describing the seasons, the second describing how to understand your spiritual rhythms.
The best thing about Buchanan's book is his prose. His books are right there alongside all of the other popular authors, but his writing stands head and shoulders above them all. There are no choppy sentences that run on and on, yet never describe anything. To read Buchanan's words describing the seasons of British Columbia is to read poetry. I've never encountered a Christian writer that treats authoring a book as a work of art, but this is what Buchanan does.
Buchanan believes that just as nature cycles through four seasons, so does your soul. There are times when life is bleak and cold. There are times when there are new beginnings. There are times of warmth, and times to harvest. There is no way to speed through these seasons, just as there is no way to make winter pass more quickly or summer last just a few weeks longer. The key is understanding which season you are in, and engaging in activities that are healthy in that season. Buchanan relates this personally, as he began this book in response to the death of a close friend.
There are poems interspersed throughout the book, and dozens of spiritual activities that can help you develop a rhythm. The book is divided into two parts, the first describing the seasons, the second describing how to understand your spiritual rhythms.
April 28, 2024
This book took me a long time to get through because I am still in my own winter. But it was so well done. One of my favorite but hardest quotes in it:
“God’s promises are not unmixed blessings. For Israel, His promise includes warnings of slavery and struggle. For Isaiah, it includes the certainty of hardship and failure. For Mary, it includes a sword piercing her own heart. For Peter, it includes a brutal death. For Hagar, it includes a son of trouble. … it’s not the promise, but the presence that changes everything.”
“God’s promises are not unmixed blessings. For Israel, His promise includes warnings of slavery and struggle. For Isaiah, it includes the certainty of hardship and failure. For Mary, it includes a sword piercing her own heart. For Peter, it includes a brutal death. For Hagar, it includes a son of trouble. … it’s not the promise, but the presence that changes everything.”
December 9, 2023
Such a good book! Definitely one I will go back to to help me identify what season I’m in spiritually and different rhythms that serve best in that season 😊
January 21, 2022
I have been slowly working my way through this book off and on since last summer and it’s phenomenal. It discusses the seasons of a Christian’s soul (not necessary of their life) and the characteristics and work of each season. For example the work of winter is pruning, praying, and waiting. He ends the book with an entire section of disciplines and metaphors for the Christian life that are necessary for any season. This book is just so good. He also has practical sections for each season. Having gone through my own winter in the last few years this book was more meaningful then it probably would have been in my younger self.
October 17, 2024
Audio
“Where else is constant growth a sign of health? In the human body, it’s a sign of obesity or cancer.”
This book really convicted me of what may be an idolatry of growth. It sounds so good, so fruitful. But we are made for seasons, for pruning and growth, for winters of the soul to really assess what needs to be cut and for summers where we soak up the sun of goodness.
This book was really so excellent, as was the narration. It seems likely I’ll return to it.
“Where else is constant growth a sign of health? In the human body, it’s a sign of obesity or cancer.”
This book really convicted me of what may be an idolatry of growth. It sounds so good, so fruitful. But we are made for seasons, for pruning and growth, for winters of the soul to really assess what needs to be cut and for summers where we soak up the sun of goodness.
This book was really so excellent, as was the narration. It seems likely I’ll return to it.
December 31, 2014
Mark Buchanan, in his book, Spiritual Rhythm, encourages his readers to look at their spiritual lives in terms of seasons. His reason is that we often become discouraged if we are not making spiritual progress. However, God may still be working but not in an obvious way. Like many trees and plants that go through seasons of growth, fruit bearing, pruning and being dormant, our lives often go through these stages too. If we can be more aware of what season we are in, we are more able to cooperate with God and learn the lessons from that season.
Mark suggests looking back over our lives and identifying particular seasons. While this didn't really work for me I found his general premise thought provoking and contained a great deal of truth.
Having established the idea of seasons in the first part of the book, Mark in the second part of the book deals with more general aspects of Christian living against this backdrop of seasons. He touches on familiar themes of worship, Bible reading, prayer and community but does so with fresh insights and helpful suggestions.
I have read and benefited from Mark Buchanan's many books. This one is his most personal but also the one with the most humour, which I really enjoyed.
A worthwhile and perceptive book.
Mark suggests looking back over our lives and identifying particular seasons. While this didn't really work for me I found his general premise thought provoking and contained a great deal of truth.
Having established the idea of seasons in the first part of the book, Mark in the second part of the book deals with more general aspects of Christian living against this backdrop of seasons. He touches on familiar themes of worship, Bible reading, prayer and community but does so with fresh insights and helpful suggestions.
I have read and benefited from Mark Buchanan's many books. This one is his most personal but also the one with the most humour, which I really enjoyed.
A worthwhile and perceptive book.
February 12, 2015
A nourishing, thoughtful read. In my mind, and I think the author's too, the premise of the book is help make it "okay to experience winter." The season of the soul that is dark, hard, trying, difficult, sad. He opens with this season, and it gives context to being the type of human that walks not in balance (because, what is balance), but in embracing the relentless hyper-focus of each individual season as it comes, in patience, making sense of what is, and what it's meant for.
The part the literally brought tears to me eyes, as a new dad, is the part about seeking sabbath in the season of raising young kids. Yeah.
At the end of the book, the author describes the place where he grabbed a meal during a season of writing this book: in an English style pub, under a portrait of Winston Churchill, with a porter to drink and a beef dip sandwich. That's the quality and tone of this book: meaty, chewy, thoughtful, every twist a new word-image, a new way of articulating an idea, harking back to classics like Lewis or Chesteron. I can imagine it being read onstage, Stuart McLean style, the author lingering over the words and wordplay.
The part the literally brought tears to me eyes, as a new dad, is the part about seeking sabbath in the season of raising young kids. Yeah.
At the end of the book, the author describes the place where he grabbed a meal during a season of writing this book: in an English style pub, under a portrait of Winston Churchill, with a porter to drink and a beef dip sandwich. That's the quality and tone of this book: meaty, chewy, thoughtful, every twist a new word-image, a new way of articulating an idea, harking back to classics like Lewis or Chesteron. I can imagine it being read onstage, Stuart McLean style, the author lingering over the words and wordplay.
Read
February 5, 2012Reviewed by Herb:
Perhaps my favorite book of 2011, Buchanan, a Canadian pastor and writer-speaker, has penned a wonderful and well-written book on how to abide with Jesus in every season of one’s life. However, rather than a focus on chronological seasons (childhood, youth, mature adult, old age), Buchanan’s seasons reflect the climate changes in a calendar year (spring, summer, fall, and winter). But for me the honesty and wisdom of the book rests in how our relationship with Jesus should move from being busy for him to simply abiding with him. I could relate well to the winter season, but enjoyed all his musings on the other times of our life. Well worth reading and reflecting on.
Perhaps my favorite book of 2011, Buchanan, a Canadian pastor and writer-speaker, has penned a wonderful and well-written book on how to abide with Jesus in every season of one’s life. However, rather than a focus on chronological seasons (childhood, youth, mature adult, old age), Buchanan’s seasons reflect the climate changes in a calendar year (spring, summer, fall, and winter). But for me the honesty and wisdom of the book rests in how our relationship with Jesus should move from being busy for him to simply abiding with him. I could relate well to the winter season, but enjoyed all his musings on the other times of our life. Well worth reading and reflecting on.
March 23, 2011
This book was handed to me by my Pastor in the midst of my own Spiritual Winter. Buchanan does an excellent job of exploring the realities (sometimes unappealing at first blush.) of the varied seasons we each experience in our walk with God. It was refreshing to be reminded to rest in God and not fight Winter, and also to not be guilted about a time that feels dry and even a bit harsh when compared with Spring and Summers. I am reading the Psalms with new eyes and anticipating a new season. God Bless Mr.Buchanan!
October 12, 2011
This was an excellent book! Buchanan has a gift for poetic writing as well as deep spiritual insight. I actually took the time to read this throughout the course of a year, following the seasons. It is well worth savoring slowly.
February 11, 2023
This is the first book I have read by this author, and it was an excellent read.
His thesis of the spiritual life being like seasons was deeply helpful. He shattered the myth of ‘progressive sanctification’ instead imaging the spiritual life as one where we will encounter different seasons depending on the circumstances we find ourselves in.
“Where else is constant growth an unequivocal sign of health?....Like the Spirit the kingdom moves where it wills, and no-one know where is comes from or where its going”His chapter on winter was possibly the most helpful of the 4 seasons.
In the 2nd half of the book he focuses on spiritual rhythms – I had been expecting something ‘Richard Foster-esque’ with spiritual exercises to practise the rhythm…being embedded in the chapter – admittedly the ‘time-in’ sections – does allow one to do that – and these are a very helpful addition to the book but I was expecting a little more ‘homework’.
Mark is a masterful storyteller and there were very moving stories embedded into this book. You can tell he loves Jesus, loves the Word, loves nature, loves people and hates religion. I found his style of writing very easy to connect with. Here is a brief summary of the seasons (though FALL was the weakest for me)
WINTER
- Marked by an absence of light, God and friends. In this season we need to pray, prune and wait. Winter can grow faith like no other season, and it grows our desire for eternity
SPRING
- The heart and ones faith pulsates with joy, hope and potential, often marked with a reignited love for God and for others. This can result in emotional, physical and moral renewal. Things that look hard become highways. There is a shift from burden to delight in the Spirit. We need to be ready to listen, decide where you need to join God in this season of renewal. Decide where the Lord wants you to plant, and which parts of your life needs cleaning by the Spirit,
SUMMER
- Things flow. Light shines everywhere. You have energy. Summertimes can get sweeter and more melancholy. Nostalgia is expectancy in reverse – stay away from it In summer learn to delight in God. We see clearly so worry should be gone. It enjoys the fruit and abundance of God. We live in the mode of giving and thanksgiving. Bu beware dehydration and living on empty, ensure you gather the riches God is giving you. Make sure there your life Is fruitful and not just leafy.
FALL
- Expectancy for the harvest. Reaping what has been sown and storing what has been reaped, but the assumption is that we have sown to please the Spirit. We can only enjoy autumn if we have sown consistently the Spirit. Fall is marked by a harvest of souls, prosperity (measure by how much we give not have), and righteousness as we reap from the Holy Spirit.Trusting God produces fruit.
This is a very helpful book for any believer in any season of their faith – and Mark gives helpful markers
- Seek rhythm not balance
- The vital importance of ‘being in Christ’ rather than fruitfulness, knowing how deeply we are rooted in him (or rather he in us)
- Help people to seek the Kingdom and find the King
- Living in the light of the Spirit (theres light and dark trith and untruth, the leading of the Spirit and the temptation of the flesh) Choose the Spirit, the path of God’s love
- We can speak all we want about God, the proof is in the thanking
- Spiritual growth is treelike but the key is delighting in Christ and meditating on Christ
- To delight n Gods Word you must ascribe value to it and discipline yourself to study it
- Glory in heaven for it keeps you focused on what matters on earth
- Persevere in the knowledge that Jesus is in you, with you and will never leave you nor forsake you
- Worship, the Word, prayer and community have to be part of your rhythm whatever season you are in.
I am looking forward to conducting some of the TIME-OUT activities now having read the book in its entirety.
His thesis of the spiritual life being like seasons was deeply helpful. He shattered the myth of ‘progressive sanctification’ instead imaging the spiritual life as one where we will encounter different seasons depending on the circumstances we find ourselves in.
“Where else is constant growth an unequivocal sign of health?....Like the Spirit the kingdom moves where it wills, and no-one know where is comes from or where its going”His chapter on winter was possibly the most helpful of the 4 seasons.
In the 2nd half of the book he focuses on spiritual rhythms – I had been expecting something ‘Richard Foster-esque’ with spiritual exercises to practise the rhythm…being embedded in the chapter – admittedly the ‘time-in’ sections – does allow one to do that – and these are a very helpful addition to the book but I was expecting a little more ‘homework’.
Mark is a masterful storyteller and there were very moving stories embedded into this book. You can tell he loves Jesus, loves the Word, loves nature, loves people and hates religion. I found his style of writing very easy to connect with. Here is a brief summary of the seasons (though FALL was the weakest for me)
WINTER
- Marked by an absence of light, God and friends. In this season we need to pray, prune and wait. Winter can grow faith like no other season, and it grows our desire for eternity
SPRING
- The heart and ones faith pulsates with joy, hope and potential, often marked with a reignited love for God and for others. This can result in emotional, physical and moral renewal. Things that look hard become highways. There is a shift from burden to delight in the Spirit. We need to be ready to listen, decide where you need to join God in this season of renewal. Decide where the Lord wants you to plant, and which parts of your life needs cleaning by the Spirit,
SUMMER
- Things flow. Light shines everywhere. You have energy. Summertimes can get sweeter and more melancholy. Nostalgia is expectancy in reverse – stay away from it In summer learn to delight in God. We see clearly so worry should be gone. It enjoys the fruit and abundance of God. We live in the mode of giving and thanksgiving. Bu beware dehydration and living on empty, ensure you gather the riches God is giving you. Make sure there your life Is fruitful and not just leafy.
FALL
- Expectancy for the harvest. Reaping what has been sown and storing what has been reaped, but the assumption is that we have sown to please the Spirit. We can only enjoy autumn if we have sown consistently the Spirit. Fall is marked by a harvest of souls, prosperity (measure by how much we give not have), and righteousness as we reap from the Holy Spirit.Trusting God produces fruit.
This is a very helpful book for any believer in any season of their faith – and Mark gives helpful markers
- Seek rhythm not balance
- The vital importance of ‘being in Christ’ rather than fruitfulness, knowing how deeply we are rooted in him (or rather he in us)
- Help people to seek the Kingdom and find the King
- Living in the light of the Spirit (theres light and dark trith and untruth, the leading of the Spirit and the temptation of the flesh) Choose the Spirit, the path of God’s love
- We can speak all we want about God, the proof is in the thanking
- Spiritual growth is treelike but the key is delighting in Christ and meditating on Christ
- To delight n Gods Word you must ascribe value to it and discipline yourself to study it
- Glory in heaven for it keeps you focused on what matters on earth
- Persevere in the knowledge that Jesus is in you, with you and will never leave you nor forsake you
- Worship, the Word, prayer and community have to be part of your rhythm whatever season you are in.
I am looking forward to conducting some of the TIME-OUT activities now having read the book in its entirety.
August 23, 2020
The watchword for seasons isn’t balance. It’s rhythm…The real order of business while earth-bound is to choose, in season and out, what to weary ourselves with, whom to weary ourselves for. It’s to decide what part of our lives will be lopsided.
One of the best shifts we could make in our churches is to dismantle the model of spirituality that equates busyness with faithfulness and replace it with the simple idea that fruit alone denotes faithfulness, and fruit requires seasons.
I’m wondering if you might be mistaking a heavenly desire for an earthly one. I’m wondering if the restlessness you might be feeling somewhere in your life—your marriage, maybe, or your work, or your church, in anything you once found beautiful but which has since grown dull—is really your inbuilt yearning for heaven.
There are lots of little nuggets in this book. At times though I found that things got a little wordy and sometimes a bit preachy. All in all though, I was glad I read it. A few themes jumped out for me: (1) focusing on rhythm instead of balance; (2) the importance of recognizing the season we are in and adjusting our expectations, attitude and actions accordingly; and (3) regardless of the season, seeking Christ’s presence and wisdom.
One of the best shifts we could make in our churches is to dismantle the model of spirituality that equates busyness with faithfulness and replace it with the simple idea that fruit alone denotes faithfulness, and fruit requires seasons.
I’m wondering if you might be mistaking a heavenly desire for an earthly one. I’m wondering if the restlessness you might be feeling somewhere in your life—your marriage, maybe, or your work, or your church, in anything you once found beautiful but which has since grown dull—is really your inbuilt yearning for heaven.
There are lots of little nuggets in this book. At times though I found that things got a little wordy and sometimes a bit preachy. All in all though, I was glad I read it. A few themes jumped out for me: (1) focusing on rhythm instead of balance; (2) the importance of recognizing the season we are in and adjusting our expectations, attitude and actions accordingly; and (3) regardless of the season, seeking Christ’s presence and wisdom.
September 1, 2020
I absolutely loved this book. At first, I was concerned it would be shallow and trendy because of the title, since the concept of spiritual rhythm is part of the progressive Christian movement. However I was so happily surprised that this book is fully grounded in the truth of God's word. The author is a beautiful wordsmith - his prose is lyrical and I took time to soak in the beauty of his poetry and the way he crafted these words. The book is enlightening, teaching ideas while putting words on my experiences. I appreciated this book so much. It is half an explanation of spiritual seasons, half a book of essays expounding on ideas that are pertinent, and all of it is beautifully written and biblically faithful. I'm already planning to reread it.
July 29, 2020
This is a thoughtful book meant to be read and savored slowly. Buchanan gives many personal examples/stories from his own life of different seasons in our lives and how to abide in Christ's love in the midst of them all. He also has quite a few 'time-in's' (as opposed to 'time out's') scattered throughout the book to add practical application to what he is teaching and proposing. This book served me as a devotional and will hopefully be read again. Buchanan is practical and encouraging, not rigid and dogmatic. I loved this book.
July 7, 2017
This book is something you have to read slowly. It is written very well and should be savored. Mark's knowledge of Scripture is deep. He moves the heart with it. I want to read this book annually as I think there is so much more to mine from it.
As one review below wrote: "I've never encountered a Christian writer that treats authoring a book as a work of art, but this is what Buchanan does. "
As one review below wrote: "I've never encountered a Christian writer that treats authoring a book as a work of art, but this is what Buchanan does. "
October 5, 2020
Buchanan draws a parallel between the seasons of the year and the seasons of our spiritual life. He describes each season and discusses things to do while in this season. He doesn’t elevate one season over the other; he encourages you in each season and helps you reach out to God more whatever your current season. His work is both practical and well-written with beautiful and interesting illustrations to help readers learn to better abide in Christ in all seasons and circumstances.
December 29, 2024
What a beautiful book to sit with and savor! I much preferred the first half to the second, but cover to cover it was impactful, instructive, and helpful. His ability to out words and imagery around winter is an important and biblically-rooted reframe for hardship. I felt seen, supported, and experienced so much clarity. This is my 3rd book by Buchanan, and I continue to be drawn in by his illustrative writing and anecdotes that underscore important points. His writing is so lovely!
June 4, 2022
A book about all seasons for every season. I absolutely plan on rereading this every few years. Some books are great but take a lot of effort to read them. This one is effortless and beautiful and a pleasure to read every time I pick it up. Mark Buchanan is not just an author but a true writer, and his words are equal parts comforting and inspiring.
July 14, 2018
A Canadian pastor provides his own personal insight to help the reader understand our spiritual lives and relationship with Jesus throughout the 4 "seasons" of our life.
Parts were cut off mid-sentence in my version of the audiobook.
Parts were cut off mid-sentence in my version of the audiobook.
December 30, 2020
Yet another great read by Buchanan.
Based on the idea that our spiritual lives experience seasons, he describes his experiences and recommends activities that match each season.
Full of stories and meandering insights - a book that is less systematic, and more of a collection of reflections from a pastor of 20 years.
Based on the idea that our spiritual lives experience seasons, he describes his experiences and recommends activities that match each season.
Full of stories and meandering insights - a book that is less systematic, and more of a collection of reflections from a pastor of 20 years.
February 20, 2023
Excellent Book
Whatever season you're going through - challenging, joyful, grief stricken - this book will help you to grow spiritually in either. The Time-Ins are great exercises to help in the process.
Whatever season you're going through - challenging, joyful, grief stricken - this book will help you to grow spiritually in either. The Time-Ins are great exercises to help in the process.
June 30, 2017
I'll come back and review better later, but this was an excellent book on how life happens in Christian walks. It's well worth slowly digesting.
July 30, 2017
six stars. I love this book and am re reading it. Beautiful prose
February 6, 2018
Okay; enjoy his writing and thought process. Had just finished reading his book on Sabbath and preferred that one. Actually, didn't finish reading because I had to turn it in!
February 4, 2019
Another amazing book by Buchanon
Buchanon writes another pertinent book, never sacrificing the message for the sake of the art. Forever grateful for his gifts and obedience.
Buchanon writes another pertinent book, never sacrificing the message for the sake of the art. Forever grateful for his gifts and obedience.
August 9, 2020
Brilliant ideas. Frustrating writing.
September 30, 2021
Compelling thoughts for each season of life, including spiritual life.
February 28, 2023
Great book to read! New ground for myself!
April 26, 2023
Encouraging read no matter what is going on in your life. Great moments of reflection.
September 28, 2023
I really love his writing and this book is no exception. He has a fresh take on spiritual practices, weaving in his story and Scripture creatively around the 4 seasons.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews