Don't Waste the Winter

By: Katie Gibson

The spring air calls me, and I venture out.

My worn shoes trod the streets, damp from afternoon showers.

I take a deep breath… and again…

There’s nothing like the scent of spring rain.

Although it is more realistically “late winter,” signs of life pop up from the dormant earth: Several trees hold buds so small you could pass them by without notice, one lone daffodil flaunts a vibrant hue of yellow at the foot of our neighbor’s mailbox, children chase and squeal as they enjoy the recently extended daylight.

The first days of spring are always the greatest because somewhere in the long months of winter, I begin to believe that the days will always be cold and bitter; that my children will forever be pinned indoors; that my window will forever frame nothing but grey skies and drizzling rain until the end of time.

Yes, sometimes after the excitement of the holidays fades away, I allow old man winter to convince me that happier days of long walks, popsicles on the porch and jumping through sprinklers are gone for good.

My spiritual life can be much the same— I am, currently (and regrettably), experiencing “winter” within as well.

Confined by the rains of change and the bitter cold of adversity, I wonder if this season will ever end. God’s voice seems dormant, causing me to dig deeper, searching for even just a morsel of “food” for my weary soul.

Maybe you relate all too well. Maybe your “winter” has been more difficult and enduring than you ever imagined.

Satan’s lies aim to persuade us that the days will always be cold and bitter; that a new season will never come; that our hopes and dreams are in vain.

But Satan is a liar.

The truth is that there is a season for everything (Ecclesiastes 3). And the truth, much like the seasons, have a beginning, and they have an end.

Whether you’re facing the death of a dream or the death of a loved one,
Whether you’re confined by limited strength or limited finances,
Whether you’re uncertain of your past or uncertain about the future--
God uses the seasons to fulfill His purpose, but He will not leave us in the winter; He will draw us out in due time.

In the meantime, let’s send our roots down deeper into Christ and “…hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.” (Hebrews 10:23)

Every promise He has made to you will become a reality, for God has never made a promise that is too good to be true.

Every season He has prepared will come-- and go. Don’t waste the winter. Press into God. Use this time to seek Him with every bit of time and strength you can muster.

Finally, keep your eyes open. Because soon, friend, soon you will look and see signs of life springing up all around you.

One day God will call us into that new season, shouting loud,

“Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, come with me. See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land. The fig tree forms its early fruit; the blossoming vines spread their fragrance. Arise, come, my darling; my beautiful one, come with me.” (Song of Solomon 2:10-13)


Word of the Day:
“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23

Prayer:
God, I feel stuck in a “winter” season. I know you are faithful-- help me to hold unswervingly to the hope I have in you. Open my eyes to see the ways you are working out your purpose and plan in my life. Help me not to waste this time, but to earnestly seek you, growing my roots deeper into you, so that I may become strong for the seasons ahead. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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