I miss the sun. I feel like it has been years since I have felt its warm caresses upon my skin. I hate the cold. It’s so unfeeling and harsh. It starves the freedom of imagination and sinks the spirit into a dismal snow globe of mental incarceration. I miss the lazy, languid mornings of summers…free from the trammels of responsibility, free to dance idly within placid day dreams… oh yes, indeed, I miss the sun. I feel as though my spirit is in hibernation. Frost bitten with the cold reality of the world, it sinks into a perfunctory routine, an empty home of forgotten dreams and hopes and feelings.But soon the angels of spring shall awaken the earth, life shall blossom once again, and God will renew the winter wearied spirit with the delights of His beautiful creation. Why is there winter? Why must the world grow so bitter and cold? Why must the flowers die? Why must there be a period when all the world turns colorless and barren? When nothing is heard outside save the lonely cry of a bird, friendless and forgotten? Why must there be months in which you never feel warm enough? Where days are bracketed by the cold, early darkness?
I don’t know why there must be times like these. The only thing that I can figure is that without the contrast of the forlorn, barren winter would we ever see the true beauty of the summer? Can we ever really appreciate the good in life if we have been forced to live without it? It reminds me of what Paul said in Philippians: “I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.” As children of God we have something no one else has: the power to find comfort in Christ no matter the season of life.
As I look out my window, I see an ugly scene of grey, empty trees. Yet, letting my eyes linger for a moment I spot a beautiful, vivid, crimson cardinal sitting upon a branch. How it catches my eye! How the red feathers stand out so boldly and beautifully against a monotonous backdrop.
Don’t you think this is how Christians should be? Should we not stand out like beautiful colors to give contrast and hope to a cold and dying world? I pray that today, this horribly cold and sunless day, each of us might be a comfort to someone and shall lovingly remind them that behind the clouds the sun is still shining.
“The righteous will shine like the sun in their Father’s Kingdom. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!” Matthew 13:43
“Those who are wise will shine as bright as the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever.” Daniel 12:3
“Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation. Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life.” Philippians 2:14-16
