Clear Fork Alliance Church

I will admit, I DON’T LIKE WINTER!! Not only do I not like the cold and the shortened days, but I don’t like the barrenness of the plants and trees. But I can endure all this because I know that spring will follow. I don’t like spiritual seasons of barrenness either. Lately I feel like I am in a wintry season in my Christian walk. I feel like I am being blindsided with problems. I am constantly on the defensive with no clue as to when I might regain the offensive. But I know that it will be o.k. because…weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning (Psalm 30:5).

A fitting illustration is seen in how plants survive winter. Annuals do not survive per se but they do produce seeds that will sprout and grow when summoned by the arrival of spring. Perennials lose their visible vegetation to winter’s deadly chill, but, meanwhile, roots sunk deep continue to live aided by the insulation of layers of snow. New life will arise from these plants with the beckoning thaws of spring. Deciduous trees beat a strategic retreat, surrendering their leaves and withdrawing most of the life giving sap to await the advance of spring’s renewing call. The evergreen’s defiant needles refuse to fall and their retention of greenery serves as a beautiful reminder that life goes on even in the season of cold, light-shortened days.

I believe in our Christian walk that we sometimes experience seasons of barrenness, spiritual winters that call us to endure, until the warmth of renewing grace summons forth new growth and fruitfulness. During productive times it is critical to produce spiritual seeds which God can use to grow His kingdom. It is easier to endure “down times” knowing we have planted many seeds that will doubtless bring a harvest in due time. During spiritual growth spurts let us sink deep roots so that seasons of scarcity will not be able to destroy the roots of hope and faith that are sure to rebound at the opportune moment. Like the deciduous trees of fall there are times we must drop our leaves and pull away knowing that when the Lord calls we will become more verdant and productive than ever. Finally, like the evergreen, it is important to maintain a witness of our life in Christ, even during the fiercest challenges, greatest disappointments and most chilling winds of opposition.

I may not like winter but pausing to count the blessings from the year that has past and looking forward to opportunities that await us in 2010 remind me that the best is yet to come!