Glory of the Winter Trees (Part 2)

READ: COLOSSIANS 1:9-11; 1 THESSALONIANS 1:2-3; 1 PETER 1:3-9

The final line of yesterday’s poem says the winter trees wait, “Certain of the coming spring.” Can we be certain spring is really coming? I mean, will our hard times truly end—and not just in death?

As I wrote that line, I had in mind the letters of the apostles Peter, Paul, James, and John. They wrote to early Christians enduring great persecution for their faith (2 Corinthians 4; 12; 1 Peter; James 1; 5; Revelation 1–3). One thing is clear—the apostles believed without a doubt that spring was coming. And they believed for one reason— because of the resurrected Christ. They counted it a joy to suffer for His Name and believed they were one Body in Christ, already on their way to an eternal life with our Lord. Death was but a doorway to where they wanted to be. And, quite frankly, history shows that little daunted their enthusiasm. Christ was no pipe dream. And so, they reminded their suffering fellow believers of several things:

1) They were companions in suffering—the apostles were experiencing persecution as well!

2) Jesus had also suffered. His life was often lonely. He experienced rejection and derision and betrayal. Finally, He faced a brutal, unjust death. But then, He rose from the grave. So, in everything we experience, Jesus empathizes with us, and He promises new life is coming.

3) Our suffering on this earth is very real, but it is temporary. Paul even said our troubles are small in comparison to the everlasting hope and joy we have in Christ (2 Corinthians 4:17). While Paul was waiting under house arrest, under a death sentence, he said that, for Christ’s sake, he had “lost all things” (Philippians 3:8). Yet, even in this dark winter, Paul experienced the hope and joy of knowing our loving God. Is Christ truly worth losing all this world has to offer? One can only answer that question by taking it to the cross.

4) Scripture makes it clear that a day is coming when our pain will end—and winter with all its hardships will be over for good! Our love and fellowship—with Christ, the Father, the Holy Spirit, and all believers—will be so joyful we cannot imagine it!

May we remind ourselves of these truths often. For yes, it is good to know we can grow more beautifully Christlike in tough times, as Scripture reminds us. But God also plainly tells us to rejoice, because a day is coming when pain itself will be no more. Amen and Amen! G. Kam Congleton

• Which of the four truths listed above resonates with you the most today? Why?

“‘There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain…” Revelation 21:4 (NIV)