After The Work

A frozen river is somewhat of a paradox. Rivers by definition flow, some times slow and sometimes rapidly. Yet I drove past the Williamson river today and the ice was a sheet over the river in some places, and in other places the ice crystals were all bunched up like some kind of jagged sheet of rock. There was an icy stillness all around. The trees bowed down by the snow, the sun causing the ice and snow to sparkle in the single digit air. All of the forest was resting, including the icy river frozen in time.

The reality is that the river flows under the ice. That is why in some places the crystals are all bunched up because they were stirred up and ran down river and clogged up in a narrow. The sheets of ice are in the wide portions where the river current still runs within. Wildlife still stirs under the ice, but the cold weather hides its secrets well. Once can get the impression that all is dead, cold and frozen in time when in reality we are merely in a season of the year.

There are times we feel we are in a season of life that seems frozen in time. We feel stuck, the icy reality of our situation seems to have no end. We can feel cold, alone despite all the wondrous beauty around us and the life that still flows within. All appearances show our life going no where. Our paralyzing debt piles up, the full weight of our relationships push down, and our routine becomes monotony. God seems far away, like a cold distant father instead of our Abba.

This is a season of life, much like the winter’s frost touches all things in the forest. The Holy Spirit seems far and undetectable much like the rivers stand still. These are the times, however, that produce the greatest fires within! We learn deep truths in the valleys and cold times in our life. We become introspective and are open to cold, hard truths about ourselves. Where have we been selfish? Where have we pushed others away? Where did my gratitude go? Why have I stopped praising God for my life?

Romans 5:3-5 tells us “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; ⁴ perseverance, character; and character, hope. ⁵ And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”

In our cold, icy suffering we look within. Finding where we fall short we can lay those hard truths before God. From there we learn to persevere through the cold times. We learn that God is still at work, almost imperceptibly, in our lives just as the river still flows under the ice. The snow weighing down the tree branches is much like our burdens. We learn to exchange their icy weight for the cross, which burden is light.

We do not form character during the good times. Our good and bad character is revealed in the good times when we do not have to try as hard. We may be humble and hard working, but also we can become cocky and complacent. Wealth and comfort take precedence in our lives. Mercifully God gives us these cold days to remind us of how we enjoy the warmth of his presence and the gratitude of the good times. The cold builds our character much like a fire is lit and then stoked. Instead of gleening strength from others, we ourselves become a source of strength because we get in touch with our Source, God himself. His strength is made perfect in weakness just as his warmth is made known in the winters of our life.

Character enables us then to have hope for the future, an acceptance that God has for us the very best for our lives. Times will warm again, whether in this life or in the next, we will warm again. Hopes are not expectations, because expectations carry with it our wills and what we desire for the future. We cannot accept the results if we have expectations of life or God. Hope has an acknowledgement that God is in charge and his grace will be sufficient for us. He does at times give us the desires of our hearts when they remain pure and loving. We can hope to buy a new car, but have the opportunity to purchase a less expensive one that we love more and suits our needs best. God will provide what we need at our deepest levels, it is our role to be ready, listen and follow.

“The God of the Universe loves you” was said to me one day during a retreat. It staggered me greatly, the immensity of the statement. There is purpose in this universe and He loves me. He pours out his love for me through is Holy Spirit, both a fire in our hearts and a river our souls drink hearty droughts. We are but specks in this universe, God we are God’s specks and we have purpose. We fit into a greater plan and will receive what we need to move forward in His purposes. God’s grace is deeper than we know and mercies that have saved us from untold misfortunes. It all points to the cross of Christ, the faithful act of love from our Savior, dying on our behalf and paving the way for his love, his Spirit, and eternal life.

So take heart during the winter storms. Reflect upon yourselves like the light upon the ice. Persevere through the cold, biting winds and heavy snows. We gain strength during these times, a great fire within the world cannot extinguish. Our despair turns to hope as we turn from introspection to praise and gratitude for Christ and his work in our life.