Just like all of creation, Winter, too, is a picture of the gospel. It's cold, dark, and gloomy. All around us, withered plants and leafless trees remind us of the certainty of death. On some days, the suffering feels almost unbearable-- my face is stinging, my hands are stiff; there's actual pain associated with the depths of winter. And if this was all we had to look forward to, many of us would surely give up and run away-- settling for an easier path. But instead we endure. We fight. We press on. Because we know that the suffering will only last for a little while, and soon Spring will make his triumphant return. We know this to be true; there is no doubt in our mind-- and because we are so confident in this truth, it gives us the strength we need to persist. We know that soon, and very soon, we will be surrounded by vibrant signs of life-- fresh green grass breaking free from the weight of snow and ice, fragrant wild floweres in full bloom, and most notably, the extended presence of the sun. We will bask in its warmth, and delight in the beauty that it reveals around us. The sun is the hero-- ultimately our only hope for Spring and rebirth lies in the return of the glorious sun!
Likewise, the Son is our hero-- our savior. He will rescue us from our pain and suffering, our meaningless toil, our endless chasing, our relentless longing; he will usher us into the promised joys of new life. Until then... we endure; we fight; we press on because we can be confident of His triumphant return... soon and very soon.
Revelation 21:1-5a
Then I saw a new heavean and a new earth for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." And he who was seated on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new."
