Winter's Purpose

Are you prepared to face the cold and dreary seasons of life?

Well, it’s January 9th, and it’s winter.

While we were distracted, amidst all the planning, shopping and celebrating over the Thanksgiving/Christmas holiday season, on December 21, as it does every year, winter quietly moved in.

After living in Florida for more than forty years, I have really come to love and truly enjoy the yearly changes of the seasons here in North Carolina.

Winter and I, however, still have an on again, off again relationship. I dislike being cold for long periods of time. I was born in Vermont where winter is serious. The cold, and maybe snow, usually arrives in October. Even if the snow waits until November, the cold comes and stays. March may be the beginning of some relief. It’s different year to year. I have been in Vermont in an ice storm in early June. That’s a long time to be cold.

I am also not a fan of the grays and browns of winter. The leaves are gone, rendering the trees “pokey”, as my granddaughter says. Sunday afternoon rides are just not the same in “brown season”.

Love it or don’t, winter is here to stay. It is part of God’s plan and intention. Genesis 8:22 tells us, “As long as the earth remains, there will be springtime and harvest, cold and heat, winter and summer, day and night.” A sobering, as well as, happily hopeful truth.

Especially when we also apply it to our spiritual wellbeing. As we walk out our Christian experience, we find that spiritual season changes are as sure as yearly natural weather patterns. It is part of the process of learning to grow in our relationship with Jesus Christ. Spiritual winters can creep up on us as stealthily as December 21st did last month.

We may be facing grief, disappointment, loss or just having to make hard choices. We may be weary from the everydayness of life. We may have been praying for something or someone for what seems like an endless amount of time with no results in sight. Soon our hearts feel cold and our days feel gloomy and gray. It seems like our hope has migrated south for the winter.

Given my rocky friendship with the cold season, I have been forced to explore ways to survive it. Ways which don’t include wishing I could move back to Florida! As Genesis tells us, winter does have purpose.

Growing things need to rest

During winter months plants become dormant. They stop growing and begin to conserve their energy for new growth when spring comes around. Their roots, however, under the earth are quietly thriving and developing. Fruit trees produce their best crops when they have had to endure a colder winter.

We humans also can benefit from a good rest. We don’t have to go dormant, but a period of stillness, quietness and reflection will help to ready us for what plans God has for us next. Especially in times of troubles and challenges. Slowing down, taking a break will rejuvenate our spirits. Remember that God is always doing His work in us, even when we are feeling cold and distant. He is silently creating in us a passionate desire for life.

Cold winters mean fewer bugs

I know, bugs have purpose too. Many insects and their larvae cannot survive longer, colder winters. This means the next spring and summer will see less insect problems. Fewer mosquitoes, yay!

Every period of struggle we encounter provides us with the opportunity to grow stronger and healthier in our faith. As we gain experience in overcoming in our trials and troubles, we are fortifying our supply of spiritual battle weapons. The enemy loses ground in our lives. We will still face some problems, but we will be better prepared to stand against them. When God is big in our lives, the difficulties will decrease in size.

Winter is a form of waiting

Animals are hibernating. Plants are dormant. Lakes are frozen. The world is quiet and waiting. Everything needs spring. Everything is waiting for winter to pass, for weather to begin to warm up, for ice to melt, for sap to flow. Then life begins again in earnest. Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven…”

When we are caught up in difficult times, we may have a sense of simply waiting for God to do something. Waiting is not idleness or dormancy. Waiting is an action word. We must continue to read and study God’s Word. We must continue to pray and communicate daily with our Savior. We must continue to spend time with others to encourage and offer words of hope. We must continue to nurture our faith for the predictable arrival of Spring.

In my fourth year here in North Carolina, I decided I needed to face winter head on. My Florida wardrobe was woefully inappropriate. I have been increasing my winter wardrobe with warmer clothes, socks, pajamas, shoes and sweaters.

How is your wardrobe? Have you increased it with the tools you need to face those tough spiritual winter seasons? Are you wearing the armor of God? Have you adorned yourself with a gentle and quiet spirit? Have you put on love?

Dear ones, you are so loved and desired by our Savior. Even the doldrums of gray winters days must not deter us from believing we are useful and necessary in the Kingdom. I am praying for you today.

We can do this. Only 70 days until spring!!