Rev. Dr. John A Jones IV – ARM-Education
Let us know, let us press on to know the Lord;
his appearing is as sure as the dawn;
he will come to us like the showers,
like the spring rains that water the earth. ~Hosea 6:3
Several years ago there was a meme going around from the popular television show “Game of Thrones”: “Winter is coming.” I don’t know for sure what it meant in the show because I didn’t have HBO, but I did pick up on how people used the phrase. I think it was meant as an ominous warning of looming dark times. “Hard times are coming. Better get ready!”
As I look around today, there’s a foot or more of snow on the ground. The wind chill is in negative double-digits. And lately I’ve had to warm up my car in my garage, just so that the garage door will work. I think winter is HERE.
And there are a lot of people going through hard times right now. Some of our most vulnerable brothers and sisters are living in fear. Some have lost jobs for no apparent reason. Some are afraid to go to the grocery store. Some have had their very identity “defined” out of existence. Many are becoming afraid, either of a strong-arming government or of other brothers and sisters justifying violence. These are dark times.
But Christians who know the Jesus of the gospels know that dark times aren’t permanent. We know that Easter is coming. Winter is here, but spring will soon follow. And the God of life and love cannot be thwarted forever.
Easter is coming. But we have to go through difficult darkness to experience light. We have to gather our resources and survive the winter. Lent begins this month. In the face of fear, we have to be disciples of Jesus, not just admirers. I read something on Facebook that said, “It’s much easier today to say ‘Jesus died for my sins’ than to say ‘Jesus was killed for standing up to evil.’”
As disciples of Jesus, let us be encouraged during these cold, dark times to follow what Jesus DID and SAID in the gospels. Let us trust the God of life and love and resurrection who is more powerful than any winter. Take up your cross and stand with those who are fearful in full confidence of the Lord of life and love.