This is just my opinion: It seems that summertime naturally brings about frivolity and lightness, while winter's chill draws lengthy the cares of the heart and the concerns of the mind. We all seem to be waiting for warm weather and brighter days. Does it seem that way to you?
Our natural man doesn't need much help to be discontent and discouraged. Elyse Fitzpatrick says that our hearts are "idol factories," and I tend to agree. We are so easily persuaded by gloomy skies and restricting temps. We look to "the next thing," the next vacation, the next purchase, to get us over the proverbial hump of winter blues. The flesh is so quick to seek comfort in anything (circumstances, friends, good news, indulgences...) other than the "living water" that satisfies. "But whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." (John 4:14)
I want to be anticipating today; not waiting. I think there's a difference. Anticipation expects goodness and looks to with joy. Waiting places the emphasis on the here and now...the current discontent...the feeling of being stuck until something changes. While that may be true of your circumstances or mine this day, we can still choose to anticipate the faithfulness of the Lord and his provision in all things, not the least of which is our soul's satisfaction in Christ.
The clouds are breaking up this morning, but the weather man reports of another storm rolling in this afternoon. Yet, we serve the One who calms the storms and provides refuge for our hearts: "You have been a refuge for the poor, a refuge for the needy in his distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat." (Isaiah 25:4)
May we be in anticipation today, not merely waiting for the snow the clear, but actively looking for the new buds of Spring.
