Spring is God's Reward for Patience

Every year those of us hardy enough to live in the upper Midwest long for the signs of Spring. There are many of us who have learned to endure Winter because of the sure promise that Spring will come. This year we have had Spring busting out all over the place. Warm temperatures, snow gone, except for the few hearty piles on the edges of parking lots, flooding, and increased activity at my bird feeder are all signs of Spring.

What if it didn’t come – what would Winter feel like with no hope of Spring? How depressing winter would become.

7 Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. James 5:7 (NIV)

This quiet patience for Spring is like the quiet wait of the Christian for the coming of Christ. Each day the “Winter” season of life on this planet seems to grow longer, and I long more and more for Christ’s return. But the hope of Christ’s return, the unwavering nature of my God, and the eternal faithfulness of His many promises fill my heart with the hope of Spring.

But what about those who journey through life without hope in the promises of God? How do they survive this “Winter” without end? Denny Correll, a Christian Singer from the early 80s recorded a song whose lyrics forever echo in my mind; “Lord, I often wonder, where do unbelievers go to talk things out and say what’s on their mind?” I’ve often felt that you must be far stronger to make it through the day on your own than with Faith in a God willing to carry you through.

Winter with no hope of Spring? I pray that the Lord would open in my life and in your opportunities to find people trapped in the “Winter” of this world and invite them to the wonderful news of Easter…. Spring has Come – Life has returned from death – Jesus Lives!

<>< Craig