Greetings!!
I am officially on Spring Break from school!! WOAH! I am very grateful for this week, even though I don’t have any big trips or extravagant excursions planned. My agenda is to rest, rejuvenate, spend time with loved ones and prepare for the next few months of life.
As I reflect on this past winter season, I think I have carried a slightly wrong mentality. I have dreaded this past Wisconsin winter. The abundance of harsh temperatures, heaping piles of snow to shovel and being essentially stuck inside pleading for a warmer more vibrant day to come. I thought, I bet I would be in a less anxiety stricken place if this all went away!
Within the past few days, the Lord has shown me the importance of the snow. The snow plays a vital role when spring time comes around. The snow acts as rainfall allowing the ground to be watered and nourished throughout all of winter, therefore the plants, flowers and trees are able to grow when the warmer days arrive!
On a spiritual level, the silence of the snow can be depleting, days upon days of wondering God when will it end? When will you carry me out of this unknown valley of dark bewilderment?
God is so very intentional. He allows seasons of silent snow to fall. He doesn’t rush the watering process. He is watering you for the next season and creating something so beautiful in you that will soon grow and flourish. He even allows you to be alive in the dead of winter. Did you know juniper and myrtle shrubs actually grow berries in winter? They are thriving through the coldest, darkest days.
Isaiah: 55:13
Instead of the thornbush will grow the juniper,
and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.
This will be for the Lord’s renown,
for an everlasting sign,
that will endure forever.”
“YOU ARE NO DEAD THORN BUSH OR BRIER.”
He is calling you into the here and now and asking, will you walk this journey with me? Will you accept that he is with you through the winter season? Do you trust that he is creating something new rooted in you that will blossom within his time.
Check out some more of Isaiah 55:10-11
“As the rain and the SNOW
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”
I believe God is doing a work in my own life. Although the water processing is continuing to happen, I am starting to see growth and nourishment in my soul. I am gaining confidence from this winter season. I am being encouraged by the Lord’s faithful promises. I am nearing $4,000 towards my goal of $20,000 for the World Race. I am believing that God is going to continue to show up and accomplish the desire of my heart for this mission.
For everyone who reads this know… you are loved and seen by Jesus. He knows every part of you. He knows your fears, questions and uncertainty in the dark, winter seasons. He wants a relationship with you. He wants you to accept his love and he wants to walk with you through this life here on earth.
I love Bethel’s new song: “ I Raise a Hallelujah”
Verse 1
I raise a hallelujah, in the presence of my enemies
I raise a hallelujah, louder than the unbelief
I raise a hallelujah, my weapon is a melody
I raise a hallelujah, Heaven comes to fight for me
Chorus
I’m gonna sing, in the middle of the storm
Louder and louder, you’re gonna hear my praises roar
Up from the ashes, hope will arise
Death is defeated, the King is alive
He will ALWAYS fight for you. Thats why he died for you after all! Raise a hallelujah in the middle of the winter storm to the sunny spring time to come!
