Death to Life

It was a flying trip that included nearly as much time behind the wheel of the vehicle staring at taillights, yellow and white lines, and traffic lights, but it was definitely enjoyable and timely. A Pre-Valentine’s Day gallivant to our hunting property in Missouri – ALONE! – was just what the doctor ordered for me and my sugar-pie-honey-bunch! Leaving our little town here in Central Louisiana, the thermometer read 62 degrees. Stepping out of the vehicle in the yard of our home-away-from-home, we were greeted with a brisk breeze that created immediate little bumps on our arms and the distinct “crunch” of frozen ground beneath our feet. Glancing back at the thermometer in the much warmer vehicle, I noticed a huge difference from the last time I had taken a gander at it…25 is now what it displayed, and I believed it completely! Looking around in the headlights, we began noticing the obvious evidence of the 25 degree weather: icicles hung from the roof of the house…frost covered the headlight lit ground…a thick layer of frozen H2O glazed the outside of the propane tank sitting in the yard. Brrrr!

When the alarm clock announced that it was rise-and-shine-time the next morning, the sky was just beginning to be illumined in the East. A few moments later, staring out the window with a cup of coffee in hand, the now-lit outside revealed a harsh truth – everything looked dead! No leaves, no green grass, no green anything! Brown, dry, lifeless scenery was all there was to behold. Ironically, the purpose of this quick trip was to “frost seed” a few select areas with clover seed. (Note: for anyone else from the South like me that didn’t know what “frost seeding” was until my landowner told me, it’s the process of tossing seed out onto the frozen ground with the expectation that as the ground freezes and thaws, the seed will find its way into a crack and sprout when Spring rolls around. Hey, it works every time the landowner does it, so…). From this frozen deadness in a brief month or so, life will burst forth. The grays and browns will be replaced with hues of green and white as Old Man Winter gives way to his sibling named Sunny Spring and a new cycle of life will begin. It happens every year…and it happens in these lives that we lead also.

Like the landscape of Southern Missouri a few days ago, we go through stretches along life’s journey that seem to be devoid of purpose, happiness, or fulfillment. As Jesus told His followers, “In this world, you will have tribulation…” (John 16:33). Or as the Psalmist declared, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous.” (Psalm 34:19). In other words, we will go through our wintry seasons of life. And if that was all there was to it, if the story ended there, how sad of an existence would be ours…But it doesn’t end there! Jesus went on to say, “…but be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33), and the Psalmist continued with, “…but the Lord delivers him out of them all.” (Psalm 34:19). While difficulty is certain, so is the promise of God to see His children through each and every one!

Perhaps you’re experiencing your own personal winter and you eagerly await the new life of Spring to flood over you. Consult the maker of Heaven and Earth, and trust Him when His word declares that, “…His compassions never fail. They are new every morning…” (Lamentations 22-23). So while we look forward to the next season, we have to endure the one we are presently in, and during whatever season we are presently in…I’ll see you in the Great Outdoors!