Evergreens show up best in winter. Though we’ve had some unseasonably warm days, even for the southeast, the poplars, oaks, and black walnuts remain bare of foliage. The pine, cypress, and holly stand out against the skyline, the only green in an otherwise drab palette.
Temperatures in the seventies on this Valentines Day mean rocking my granddaughter in the hammock in the glorious sunshine rather than inside the curtained nursery. Once she settled in with her bottle, I realized I was humming “This Little Light of Mine” as we swayed back and forth. As I lifted my eyes from her face, my eyes skimmed the pale yellow of the dormant grass and the green-gray of the lake before settling on the opposite bank.
The sky was palest blue, almost white, and the tree line stood out in fine detail. The hardwoods, regal even without their crowns, are far less imposing. The evergreens which normally bleed into the sea of green encircling the lake hold my attention. God’s still small voice whispers.
We tend to complain most about winter weather and winter seasons of life, but truly these are the seasons when faith, hope, and love shows up best. When we are relying on the steadfast love and faithfulness of God, giving thanks in all circumstances, (I Thessalonians 5:18) living the abundant life for which we are created, (John 10:10) His joy is made complete in us. (John 15:11)
The only proper response to an encounter with Christ is worship, and as we abide in Him, allowing Him to sanctify our thoughts, words, and actions, all of life becomes worship. Those who witnessed the death and burial of Jesus endured a winter that even someone living in the far north where daylight is nonexistent part of the year can imagine. Three hours of complete darkness followed by three days of grieving would make the strongest among us begin to lose hope, much like the travelers on the road to Emmaus.
“He asked them, “What are you discussing so intently as you walk along?”
They stopped short, sadness written across their faces.
Then one of them, Cleopas, replied, “You must be the only person in Jerusalem who hasn’t heard about all the things that have happened there the last few days.”
…
We had hoped he was the Messiah who had come to rescue Israel.
This all happened three days ago.”
Luke 24:17-18, 21 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/luk.24.21.NLT
Past tense peppered their speech, but not the women who waited by the tomb on resurrection morning.
“Then the angel spoke to the women.
“Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.
He isn’t here!
He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen.
Come, see where his body was lying.
And now, go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and he is going ahead of you to Galilee.
You will see him there.
Remember what I have told you.”
The women ran quickly from the tomb.
They were very frightened but also filled with great joy, and they rushed to give the disciples the angel’s message.
And as they went, Jesus met them and greeted them.
And they ran to him, grasped his feet, and worshiped him.
Then Jesus said to them,
“Don’t be afraid!
Go tell my brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see me there.””
Matthew 28:5-10 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/mat.28.5-10.NLT
“Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.
When they saw him, they worshiped him—but some of them doubted!”
Matthew 28:16-17 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/mat.28.16-17.NLT
In winter, what looks dormant is still very much alive and growing as long as it’s root system is in tact. The first Psalm paints a picture of trees planted along a riverbank whose leaves never wither- evergreen- bearing fruit in season. “O, the joys of those who delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night, those whose path the Lord watches over.”
“And this is his commandment:
We must believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as he commanded us.
Those who obey God’s commandments remain in fellowship with him, and he with them.
And we know he lives in us because the Spirit he gave us lives in us.”
1 John 3:23-24 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/1jn.3.23-24.NLT
“But those who obey God’s word truly show how completely they love him.
That is how we know we are living in him.
Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.”
1 John 2:5-6 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/1jn.2.5-6.NLT
“Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.
Our actions will show that we belong to the truth, so we will be confident when we stand before God.
Even if we feel guilty, God is greater than our feelings, and he knows everything.”
1 John 3:18-20 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/1jn.3.18-20.NLT
In spite of the current warm temperatures, winter is not over. If the view from where you sit looks bleak, find a bit of green in your landscape by remembering that God is love, (I John 4:8) God is good, (Mark 10:18) and He is working in all things for the good of those who love Him and have been called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)
“I don’t want this pain to be my story
I don’t want this desert road
I don’t know where this is going
But I know who holds my hand
It’s not the path I would’ve chosen
But I’ll follow You to the end
Lord, as long as I am breathing
I will make Your glory known
Even if it means I’m walkin’
On this desert road
Casting Crowns DESERT ROAD
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