In Like a Lion...Out Like a Lamb?

Who would have thought that we would have experienced two nor’easters, complete with snow in the month of March—and, within five days of each other! Surely, March has come in like a lion!  The question is, will it go out like a lamb?

I’m sure most of you are ready for spring. I know, I am.  I keep looking for the smallest signs of a change in seasons. But, today as I look outside my window I just see snow, and what looks like winter. On the surface, it seems like spring is a long way off.  Yet the truth is, signs of spring have been all around me: the daffodils that have already come up just outside my office; a few warmer days here and there; the grass looking a tad bit greener. I even did a run outside last week in shorts!  So, maybe spring is on its way.  Just maybe March will go out like a lamb and spring will make its way into our lives!

A small sign that spring is on its way!

All of this makes me think of how often in life we go through difficult and dark times that can feel like never-ending winters. Life storms in like a lion and we feel like we’re going to be ravaged by it. We wonder how the story will end. We want to hope for better days, for the pain to pass, for the season of our life to change, but we wonder if it ever will. When we look outside the window of our lives, so often all we see are the signs of what we might call “winter.” And yet, I have to believe that if we look a little closer we just might find at least a few signs of “spring.”

This is where our faith comes into play.  After all, God is the One who brings us real hope. Through him and all he has done for us through Jesus Christ we receive the assurance, we might say the “signs,” that our lives will not always be as they are; that “winter” will not last forever; that spring is on its way! Hope comes as we look to God and trust him to take care of our future and our eternity. And, he daily gives to us signs of his presence with us, and his hand at work in our lives—if only we will look a little bit closer. 

The Psalmist wrote, “We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield.” (Psalm 33:20 - NIV)  The Apostle Paul wrote, “On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us….”  (2 Corinthians 1:10 - NIV) The prophet Isaiah put it this way, “…but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (Isaiah 40:31 - NIV)

With God by your side there is always hope! He is able to help you through every season of your life and lead you on to the next.  The “March” of your life may come in like a lion, but  God will send it out like a lamb!

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13 - NIV)

Have a good day!

Pastor Tim Harris