In Like a Lion

The old saying about the weather in March is "in like a lion, out like a lamb." And the reverse also seems to apply. Well here we are with a lion the first of March in southern Wisconsin. The picture is of the snow falling by vehicles in the SDB Center's main parking lot. At times it is falling horizontally (wind is blowing it sideways).

We endure the blowing snow (and shovel it, and at times walk like a penguin so as not to fall on the ice) with hope for spring and warm and green.

Peter wrote in the first chapter of his first letter about a "living hope" (vs 3) and "an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade -- kept in heaven for you" (vs 4) . Right now "for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials" which come to prove our faith. (vss 6-7). Just like winter helps us appreciate spring, even with mud, so the testing of our faith in many ways helps prove and prepare us for heaven.

Winter can be fun. Winter also wears on us as it teaches us lessons we would not learn in the gentle breezes of summer. God does use all things (even those events, persons and situations from which we pray to be freed) for good. (Rom 8:28) And he does have good works for us to do. (Ephesians 2:10) Enjoy the warmth of our Lord's presence as we wait for His appearing.

Gordon