Its crimson robe stands out among the stark branches of the old apple tree. All around, the earth rests in shades of gray and brown, its winter dormancy visible to those who take time to see. Beneath the glistening, frosted ground and deep within the barren branches, life flows. Never ceases.
A Beacon of Hope in the Emptiness of Winter
The cardinal nestled in the old apple tree must surely know this, therefore it can rest contented in the bitter cold of a mountain winter. And so its song comes easy, even in the frigid air.
I know another clothed in a crimson robe, a robe of suffering stained with blood. My Savior, Jesus Christ. I can’t help but think of Him as I watch the cardinal, its crimson feathers illuminated by the rising sun. The discomfort of the chill doesn’t sway him from being a beacon of hope in the emptiness of winter. Though surrounded by barren places, he knows life flows.
In my winter, of the soul, that is, the Lord is with me. He remains faithful to me in the discomfort, even in the harsh attitudes of my heart that unfortunately surface at times. When I look for Him, I find Him. The warmth of His presence comforts me. His reminder of hope reassures me.
Jesus loves me still.
Even in the Winter of the Soul, His Life Flows Within Us
Are you in a winter of the soul? The Lord promises to draw near to the brokenhearted and those crushed in spirit. Although we feel abandoned, by faith I know He would never do such a thing. I have experienced His enduring love.
The Lord draws near to comfort us, but often we can’t see Him because our focus is on the difficult circumstances.
But if we, like the cardinal, can pause — be still — and remember that He is God and that He never changes and that His love is neverending … if we can remember these things, His peace will descend from heaven and steady our hearts. He will bathe us in His perfect peace — shalom peace — not as the world gives, but as only He can give.
In the middle of the chaos. In the middle of barren places.
His peace reminds me that life flows … always.
In the harshest of circumstances — even in the winter of the soul — His life flows within us.
Selah
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Thank you so much for stopping by. I would love for you to share what’s on your heart in the comments below. Scroll a little farther down and you’ll see where you can leave your comments. Together, we can find the nearness of God in our darkest moments.
Sweet blessings to you,
