“The End of Winter”
When I was growing up in northern Minnesota, January and February were the coldest months of the year. February was the hardest month for most of us. Christmas was long past and too quickly forgotten. The New Year’s parties, with the laughter, had long since faded into oblivion. All that was left was the bitter cold and the weary darkness. The daylight hours seemed too short and the weather was too cold – leaving everyone shivering beside the old wood stoves.
As February wound down, thoughts of spring warmed the soul. In only a few weeks the weather would change. The sun would come out. The days would grow longer. The snow would melt; the lakes and rivers would thaw and spring break-up would take place. Soon the trees would bud out and begin to color the forest a happy green once again, instead of the depressing grey we endured all winter.
In just a few weeks, tiny yellow chicks would hatch and bunny rabbits would hop around. Colts and calves would frolic in the pasture. Beaver would begin to rebuild, otter and mink would play on the riverbanks, muskrats would swim aimlessly in the river, and the air would be perfumed by the wonderful smell of early spring lilacs. Have I ever told you that the smell of lilacs are my favorite smell?
But some people, around the end of February lost their vision of the future and were swallowed up in the darkness of the long winter. And some of them never made it to spring. They died of hopelessness and a lack of vision. Some took their own lives and some died of sickness or what they called old age. But the real culprit was a lack of hope.
When you are going through a long winter of your soul – you need hope. I don’t know what may cause the winter of the soul in your life and make life seem so hopeless and pointless – but I know the cure. Let me share it with you.
First, fix your eyes on the author and finisher of your faith, Jesus. The bible says,
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
Hebrews 12:2-3
When things seem most hopeless – it is most important to fix your eyes on Jesus. Have you ever thought about what it means to ‘fix’ your eyes on something? It means to ignore everything else and concentrate on that thing. That word probably came out of the Olympic Games of Paul’s day. When someone ran a marathon, after 5 or ten miles they would ‘hit the wall’. In other words, they would use up their energy and be exhausted. From that point on – it was more mental than physical. It wasn’t the physically strong that won – but the mentally strong. The winners would fix their eyes on the finish line and they would think about the prize waiting for them. Their legs would feel like lead. Their lungs would be burning like fire. Their mouths would be dry and their feet ached – but they would push on. They considered what was waiting for them at the end of the race – the joy of victory! They knew it would all be worth it.
It kind of reminds me of when I climbed Mount Shasta. I had climbed Mount Whitney and later climbed Mount Lassen and many lesser peaks – but climbing Mount Shasta was the most difficult. Part of it was that there was no trail and it was straight up on the snow and ice for 6 or 8 hours. Mostly it was because after a few hours of climbing straight up you ran out of energy. Only those determined to make it to the top did so. I fixed my eyes on the goal and climbed until I made it.
I think it is so important for us to fix our eyes on Jesus and think about Him. First of all, we need to think about how much He loves us. Jesus is FOR you – not against you. He is not a demanding task master – but a loving encourager who desires the very best for us. If He asks us to not do something – it will always be because that is best for us. If He asks us to DO something – it is because that will result in blessings to us.
When you think about Jesus you might recall the time His zeal for God’s house caused Him to make a whip of cords and drive the greedy money changers from the temple area. Or you may think of the time that John laid his head on Jesus’ shoulder at the Last Supper. It’s kind of perspective isn’t it? When you love Jesus and are striving to live a life pleasing to Him – the vision you get of Him is love. No one else may understand – but He does. No one else may care – but Jesus does. No one else may know – but Jesus sees. He saw the little widow lady put in her two coins when no one else did. He felt the burden of the lady with the issue of blood when no one else did. He sought out the man filled with a legion of demons when everyone else ran away from him or avoided him.
Jesus knows all about your troubles – and loves you anyway. Fix your eyes on Him and think about the joy He has waiting for you. Remember His words,
“In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” John 14:2-3
Jesus wants you. Jesus loves you. He is creating a place just for you! It will be joyful and wonderful and worth it all. Fix your eyes on Jesus.
Secondly, endure. When you can’t do anything else – endure. Never give up. The Scripture says,
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross…” Hebrew 12:3
I’m not exactly sure why our enduring is so important to God – but it is. God wants His Children to have iron souls. He wants us to be determined. He doesn’t want wimps – He wants winners. He doesn’t want door mats – He wants men and women who will let nothing detract them from the goal. Jesus said, ”But he who endures to the end will be saved.” Matthew 24:13
The Bibles says,
“Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.” 2 Timothy 2:3
“if we endure, we will also reign with him.” 2 Timothy 2:12
I’m not sure what you have to endure in your life – but I know there is something where you have to grit your teeth and put up with it. It may be a job. It might be a stage in your marriage. It might be a neighbor or a school or an organization or maybe even the court system. But there will be something in your life that God has allowed so you can work on this thing of enduring. It may be noble – a spiritual enduring. Paul says to Timothy,
“In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” 2 Timothy 3:12
The fact of the matter is – if you live a godly life - you will be persecuted. They persecuted Jesus – and He was perfect. Why would you think you will escape condemnation and persecution – just because you are innocent?
You can protest and fight and resort to their level – or you can just shut your mouth and endure it and trust that Jesus will fight for you. Remember Haman? Haman was out to destroy God’s people and Mordecai in particular. He had a scaffold built to hang Mordecai on – and ended up being hanged on it himself. Read about it yourself in the story of Ester.
King David was falsely accused and felt the bitter taste of injustice. His prayer is quite revealing of what is going on in his heart. Listen.
“Contend, O LORD, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me. Take up shield and buckler; arise and come to my aid. Brandish spear and javelin against those who pursue me. Say to my soul, "I am your salvation."
May those who seek my life be disgraced and put to shame; may those who plot my ruin be turned back in dismay. May they be like chaff before the wind, with the angel of the LORD driving them away; may their path be dark and slippery, with the angel of the LORD pursuing them.
Since they hid their net for me without cause and without cause dug a pit for me, may ruin overtake them by surprise— may the net they hid entangle them, may they fall into the pit, to their ruin.” Psalm 35:1-8
Have you ever felt that way? If you have, Jesus understands. It is His job to right wrongs. Just trust in Him. The Bible says,
“For we know him who said, "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," and again, "…It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”
Hebrews 10:30-31
When you are going through fiery trial – endure. Hang on. Don’t quit. Trust God to come to your aid to right any injustice. It may not be in your timing – otherwise you wouldn’t have to endure. But believe this – God will give you justice.
The last thing I want to point out to you when you go through the winter of your soul, is not only 1. fix your eyes on Jesus and 2. endure the pain, but 3. think about the joy that is coming. The Scripture says,
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured…”
The motivation that enabled Jesus to go through the false accusations and the lies and the humiliation and ultimately – the cross, was the joy that was to come as a result of His suffering. The joy of spending eternity with you! Do you realize that YOU are the reason Jesus endured the cross? He is looking forward to spending eternity with you. He is preparing a place for you. It is going to be a place where you are completely loved. Jesus cherishs you. You will never feel lonely ever again. You will be filled with joy and laughter. God loves to hear you laugh.
Sarah said, "God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me." Genesis 21:6
“He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.”
Job 8:21
David gave a prophecy of heaven, I think, when He said,
“When the LORD brought back the captives to Zion, we were like men who dreamed. Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, "The LORD has done great things for them." The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. “
Psalm 126:1-3
I think heaven will be like that. I think our mouths will be filled with laugher and songs of joy. In the New Testament, the Bible promises:
“And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.” 1 Peter 5:4
“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” 2 Corinthians 4:15
“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” Romans 8:18
Scriptures like these will keep you warm during the winter of your soul. When your days are dark and long and cold – and you are focused on your problems of the present - instead of the presents coming in the future – read these Scriptures. Memorize them. Believe them. Your best days are still ahead of you! You haven’t begun to live yet! The best is yet to come!
During the last days of winter, Joe and Fritz and I would go out to the river and gingerly walk out on the edge of the ice – and JUMP! We would break off great chunks and float down the river. Sometimes we would tip and fall into the icy water. But we would always emerge laughing and the trill and excitement would warm us. Our blood would run hot with daring exploits.
Now I am not recommending anyone do what we did on the river in our foolish youth. But I do recommend you look your winter in the eye and laugh. Fix you eyes on Jesus. Endure whatever you have to. And think often about the joy that lies ahead.
This morning I would like to close by have a word of prayer. If you are going through a difficult time – maybe you would like to pray this prayer with me.
Dear Jesus,
Thank you for loving me unconditionally. Thank you for loving me so much you died for me. Thank you for loving me so much that you are preparing a place for me right now.
Help me to focus on you and your blessing. Help me to endure whatever I have to – to make it. Help me to remember all the wonderful things you have in store for me. And help me to live my life to please you – above all.
In Jesus’ Name
