Joy in the Winter

Sometimes, we find ourselves in the "winter" season of life. It's really unpleasant to be out in the cold, especially if it's all by ourselves. We wander around in the cold, hoping to find a burning fireplace to warm our freezing hands, a comfortable warm bed to snuggle into, some thick winter clothing, or at least a nice cup of hot chocolate.

"Winter" could be any point of life in which we're down in the slums, or when the things around us seem to be turning against us, leaving us to "shiver in the wilderness". We frantically search for a comfortable zone to fall back, our hearts cry out for help that doesn't seem to come.

But we who are in Christ know that, even if there's seemingly no places of refuge for us, God has prepared fireplaces for us to keep us warm. As long as we walk in Him, He will provide all that is necessary to sustain us in the journey with Him throughout the "winter" into the "spring" of life.
By allowing ourselves to face the "winter" by putting our complete trust in Him, we can be assured that He will not allow us to perish in it but instead come out in better shape than we can ever imagine. We can be joyful in the "winter" despite all the coldness and bitterness around us knowing that the God of all the whole world, who has control over all the seasons, is with us guiding our every step and giving us the strength to go on.

In the end, we come out thankful for the things we have. We come out loving God more for the many blessings which He has poured out to us. We come out appreciating the warmth of "spring" more after facing the iciness of "winter".

Basically, that's my theme for my next painting - "Joy in the Winter" finished on 19 January.

O child of God, wait patiently when dark thy path may be,
And let thy faith lean trustingly on Him Who cares for Thee;
And though the clouds hang drearily upon the brow of night,
Yet in the morning joy will come, and fill thy soul with light.

O child of God, He loveth thee, and thou art all His own;
With gentle hand He leadeth thee, thou dost not walk alone;
And though thou watchest wearily the long and stormy night,
Yet in the morning joy will come, and fill thy soul with light.

O child of God, how peacefully He calms thy fears to rest,
And draws thee upward tenderly, where dwell the pure and blest;
And He Who bendeth silently above the gloom of night,
Will take thee home where endless joy shall fill thy soul with light.

- Fanny Crosby, 1886

Until next time!

Brian Chee