Seasons come, and seasons go. The leaves on the trees are long gone since the last time I wrote an entry for this blog, and, just like then, I find myself contemplating the inherent beauty that we can find even amidst those seasons in our lives that we might not be particularly fond of. After almost ten years of living in Colorado, I can confidently say that my least favorite season is winter. Truly, although I absolutely despise many aspects of it, I have come to understand that it is still essential, and that I must focus on the beautiful and ephemeral moments that make it bearable such as the absolutely stunning views that snow fashions for us or the extremely fun activities that snow allows us to enjoy.
I recently had the opportunity to visit Keystone and sharpen my snowboarding skills (mediocre, at best), and I was awestruck at the magnificence and beauty of God’s creation. More often than not, I deem snow as an inconvenient, undesirable, and bitter-cold product of our fallen existence in this decaying world. This kind of thinking usually overtakes me when I have to brush 5” of snow off my car’s windshield, or when I have to travel long distances alongside inexperienced drivers on the highway in a vehicle that is not suited for snow. I am certain you might have experienced a similar thought process while shoveling snow off your driveway at 5am before driving your kids to school.
Yet, I am compelled to reject my negative thoughts and replace them with the same awe and reverence with which I was struck on top of that mountain. How could I not be moved by the beauty of His creation? I have to constantly remind myself that I must seek God’s face in order to find beauty in all of His creation. It is always there, waiting to be admired and worshiped. We just need to keep our eyes opened. Besides, we rarely find ourselves ‘inconvenienced’ by snow for more than a day or two. In fact, the sun will probably be shining a few hours after the shoveling (I guess that’s normal in Colorado?).
Lastly, I want to share about the comfort I find knowing that the plants that are currently dead will soon begin to bloom, the grass that is currently dormant will begin to turn green, and the leafless trees will bear fruit. It is much easier for me to appreciate this facet of winter because I have been like a dead and colorless plant. Yet, the Father has given me life through His Son (John 3:16). I have been like the dormant and weak grass. Yet, the Son has turned all my grief and sorrow into joy (John 16:20). I have been like the bare and leafless trees. Yet, the Holy Spirit has filled my heart and blessed it with His fruit (Galatians 5). These are the reasons why winter is not only bearable, but absolutely necessary. In order to bloom into the most colorful flower, plants must die first in the winter. In order to become tall and green, grass must go dormant in the winter. In order to bear abundant fruits, trees must die and lose every leaf in the winter.
How comforting it is to know that the God of all creation cares so deeply about us that His will allows us to go through these seasons in life in order to fulfill His purpose? If we can remember that God’s beauty manifests around us even through the cold, bleak, harsh winter, then we might be able to find hope knowing that the next season will arrive before we know it.
