Wherever you are, if you are north of the equator, you are probably experiencing some cold days now that it has reached December. Most likely all the leaves on the trees have fallen (except for some of the those, what I call stubborn trees that hold their dead leaves until Spring). The world around us looks very different when the leaves are gone. The sky is bigger since their is not much blocking the view. Things in our surroundings become more exposed when the leaves are gone. And to add to that depressing thought, the air is colder and sometimes down right unbearable! ha ha!
Although my world isn't full of green foliage and warm weather, there can still be a warmth that stays stoked within me. During the wintertime, it is a great opportunity for all Christians to bring joy, good will, peace, warmhearted encouragement, laughter and love into our world. We also need to dig in deep into the love of God as we are going to need it in order for ourselves to get through the drab winter months. Reading the Holy Bible each day will be a great way to keep our fire glowing hot with God's hope, His love, His joy and His peace. God's Word calls His people the temple of the Living God. So, as we go from shop to shop, from school play to school play, from Christmas party to Christmas coffee, from sport to sport, to work and back home again, let us remember that we are (those who believe Christ as their Savior) His temple; that we take Christ wherever we go. He is the one who gives us the strength to bring His love, His peace, His hope, His joy to all the different places we go. Let's dig deep into the heart of God this Christmas time and throughout our whole winter months.
Did you know trees are working hard in the winter, too? Trees are growing their roots deeper into the earth as they sit dormant during winter months. They aren't just taking a nap, but prepping for the next fruitful season. Let us be like those trees and dig down deep into the Word of God while the outside may look gloomy. We can go looking for nutrients for our souls daily so that we are still a great place of encouragement and hope for others around us. Even in winter, trees, while bare of their leaves are great houses and hotels for many animals looking for refuge from the weather. We can learn from that too. Just because things don't look completely vibrant doesn't mean that they are not being a blessing to someone while they wait for the warmth of spring.
"Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving." -Colossians 2:6-7
Question: What other verses do you know that are an encouragement to you about this topic/idea? I'd love for us all to share a verse that speaks to this idea of being active in our hearts; pursuing God even when things on the outside don't seem so good.
Let us get real and stay real throughout this winter season, dear friends!! We need to shine like stars to the world that we have a hope that doesn't fade, a life in us that is abundant, a joy in us that can never be snuffed out and a love in us that is too deep for us to measure. We know that the "that" is a "who" and His name is Jesus Christ. All praise and honor to our Lord Jesus Christ for rescuing us from darkness/spiritual death and bringing us into the light/life everlasting! Amen.
