During these past two weeks something dawned on me that I would
like to share with you. As I am writing this we are nearing the end
of winter. I am so glad that this winter is over. Spring is in the
air and I can feel a sense of excitement all around me. The birds
are singing, new leaves are coming out, small beautiful flowers are
starting to bloom and the people around me is metaphorically
speaking coming out of their holes. Everyone has a sense of energy
filling the air around us, people are starting to exercise again,
the children are playing outside for longer periods and
organizations are getting ready to hosts functions and carnivals.
It is an exciting time. A time to breathe in deeply and enjoy the
life that the Lord so graciously gives us.
This made me stop and think. Would
we have enjoyed spring so much if there never was a winter? Would
there still be a buzz in the air? Would we feel full of energy
again, if we never experienced the deadness of winter? I don't
think so.
My sister and her husband worked in
the Cayman Islands for 3 years. And those of you that know the
Caymans, know that they don't really have a winter. There are times
when it is a bit cooler than usual, but overall it is warm all year
round. My sister and her husband missed in effect four winters due
to the timing that they went to the Caymans. When they came back,
they had their first winter in 4 years and it was freezing for
them. They weren't used to it and longed for summer to return. When
spring came again they enjoyed it more intensity than ever before!
They appreciated summer again, much more so than they did in Cayman
when all they had was summer. Why? Because they experienced the
contrast with winter once again.
Therefore it would seem to me that
we need the winter to appreciate the summer. We need the winter to
feel excited about the summer. We need it in order to see the
leaves sprouting again, we need it in order to see the growth in
nature and we need it in order to understand things in our lives
better. The 'winters' in our lives hurt, and it is a dreary time,
it could be cold and lonely, but it spurs us on to change. You see
winter times in our lives come when God wants us to grow
spiritually to let go of certain things in this world. It might
make you very unpopular if you do not join in with the drinking
partying crowd, it might make you unpopular if you do not agree
with certain 'grey' areas in business, it might make you the
laughing stock if you stand up against 'innocent' movies, games or
shows. And so I can go on and on. Jesus Himself wasn't very popular
with the religious crowd of His day. He was cast out and thrown out
of synagogues. And today it is the same with us. Do not expect warm
handshakes and friendly greetings when you expose dishonest
practices and evil influences etc. No, the world will not welcome
you when you expose the enemy behind it all.
BUT spring is always around the
corner. Winter never lasts indefinitely. Jesus paved the way to His
Kingdom for us and there is always Light, always summer. This world
and all its evil practices will not last forever. Winter will be
something of the past. But recognize the 'winter' in your life for
what it is. Let the 'winter' times spur you on to grow closer to
God and all that He is planning for you. Let the 'winter' times
cause you to freeze your love for this world and spur you on to
rather live in the Light of His warm love. There is life and true
freedom. There is abundance and blessings and there is your
destiny. What do you choose? The choice is yours to remain in the
winter or to move on to summer and enjoy your life with Him as your
anchor.
Lord thank you that we can reach
out to You. Thank you that there is always summer in Your presence.
In Your presence is light and life. We look forward to spending our
time there with You. Help us to let go of the winter in this world
and to embrace Your Kingdom principles. In Jesus Name. Amen