Not surprisingly, we’ve had another shift in weather in northwest Ohio.  We had fierce winds the other night and those winds left behind colder temperatures and an obvious chill in the air.  My furnace is running constantly, trying to keep up with the sudden change.  Despite the cold, when I look out my windows the sun is shining brightly.  And even though there was snow on the ground this morning, I can see the tiniest buds sneaking out on the branches of the trees in my yard.  Spring is on the way.

How many of us, through trials and challenges, have felt like winter has come to stay?  Who’s looking for a change in your circumstances; who’s hoping for spring?  We have assurance that the tough times in our lives are not going to last.  “See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone.  Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land.” (Song of Solomon 2:11-12)  We don’t need to look at all the things around us that aren’t perfect, we can fix our eyes on the things that give us hope.  “Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you.”  (Proverbs 4:25)  Our circumstances will try to hold us back; however, God leads us forward to  beautiful pathways.  “You’re blessed when you stay on course, walking steadily on the road revealed by God.  You’re best when you follow His directions, doing your best t0 find Him. (Psalm 119:1-2)  The Earth is still moving around the sun, so let’s keep moving too.  Let’s leave winter behind and walk into the new season God has planned for us.