Mounds of Snow!
As I
was walking our dog the other day, I realized that all around me were hardened mounds
of snow, lining the roads, driveways, and sidewalks. They seemed frozen into
the landscape, as if they have always been there. Worse than that, right now it
feels as if they will always be there! At this point in the season, the hardened
mounds of snow that surround us make us feel as if we will forever be stuck in
a perpetual winter! (What a dreadful thought!)
Thankfully,
we all know such will not be the case.
Although it may appear as if those mounds of snow are here to stay, a
bit of warm weather, along with some rain and warming sunshine will together
work their magic and slowly melt away the snow. Before we know it, the grass
will begin to appear, the flowers will burst through, and the leaves will begin
to bud. Soon it will be spring! And, we
will look back barely remembering what we once thought were mounds of snow that
would last forever.
We
all have seasons in our lives that we wish would pass us by, but instead come
in such a way that they feel like they have come to stay forever. There are times in our lives when it feels as
if we are surrounded by hardened mounds of snow—reminders of the difficult season we find ourselves in. And, it can feel as if that season will never
end—as if spring will never break through; as if life will never change. At
such a point, many people lose hope, fall into despair, and in general give up
on life. They cannot imagine having to live their lives surrounded by mounds of
snow that refuse to melt.
God’s
Word recognizes that we will all face difficulties in life—seasons that can
feel like a perpetual winter. Through his Word, God is quite honest with us about
those times. Yet, the Bible never speaks about those times without also
recognizing that in God there is always hope—hope for a new season, for a new
day, for a new life. The writers of the
Scriptures always remind us that no difficulty in life will last forever. Rather, God is able to work in and through
every season, eventually making all things new.
The Prophet Isaiah put it this way: “The desert and the parched land will be
glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst
into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy...Strengthen the feeble
hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts, ‘Be
strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with
divine retribution he will come to save you’.” (Isaiah 35:1-2a, 3-4 - NIV)
The mounds of snow in your life might have hardened
and seem as if they are there to stay. But, I want to remind you that, no
matter how high or hard those mounds might be today, God has promised that a
new season is on its way. So, “be
strong, do not fear.” The warmth of his
love and grace will one day melt away what might appear to you to be hardened
mounds of snow! Before you know it, it
will be spring!
Have a great day!
Pastor Tim Harris
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