Winter

  • Christo and Elsa Visser
  • May 30, 2010
    Winter

    Winter                       

    Shakespeare describes it as “the winter of our discontent”. He implies that even our discontent with a situation, circumstances or people has seasons. It is therefore possible to have a “summer” season even if one is discontent, but the coldest, darkest and most uncomfortable season of a time of discontent will be winter. Such has been a period in our lives, a time of discontent, loss and a feeling of being lost, anger, disappointment and almost every other negative emotion.

    Planting trees has proven to be satisfying and to a certain extent almost therapeutic. There is great satisfaction in planting a tree and then noticing the growth, imagining the root system digging deeper into the ground and seeing new buds. To care and encourage new growth, check for dead or hanging growth, trim and tie to supports. The gardener fertilizes, waters and when new branches spring into odd directions clips the tips off to help the tree to sprout new growth in the desired direction.

    A winter period is a time when little growth is noticed. It is a time when trees need little water and protection from frost. A winter in our life signifies a time of cold, darkness, little or no sun, frost and hibernation. We would like to curl up and sleep for weeks and months. Spiritually we felt that we had almost frozen and we needed a time of spiritual “hibernation” just to wait, for what we did not know.

    But God (as Leonard preached) loves us too much to allow even a winter of discontent to set in. He cares too much for us to allow a frost to stagnate all growth. The death of Jesus Christ on the cross (although it seemed to the disciples at the time that all was lost, their King was dead) was actually the only winter we as Christians had to suffer, and He suffered it for us. The resurrection of Jesus from the grave is like the dawning of the summer sun, that rising of the new dawn, clean, fresh and full of the promise of freedom to grow and sprout and blossom, we have no excuse, the Son is shining.

    In our time of winter, our “discontent” He came and lovingly wrapped us in the blanket of His love. He protected our tender leaves and new buds from frosting in our winter. He showed us that His love is the very substance of the warmth in our spirit, the lifeline of His spirit to our spirit. He clipped off the odd branches that sprouted in wrong directions, encouraging us to grow as He will have us grow. He did everything and we did nothing.

    We verged on withering and teetered on the brink of shriveling, but God, in His infinite wisdom, mercy and grace, reached down and physically held us upright. He moved the hearts of people to reach out and sustain us, He foreknew and planned and provided a way out. The way is through Him, through the Son, complete surrender to Him and total submission in His will.

    Death, physical death here on this earth, is not only traumatic, but it is final, complete and leaves no room for further planning or deliberation. It forcefully and brutally corners one and strips off all the trappings of future plans, wishes, desires, visions and dreams. Death slashes the lifeline and dashes the future to nothingness and we, the “left behind”, feel empty, broken, doubtful and angry. Every emotion floods through our frail bodies at regular intervals and the power of the heart seems to be but a small spark from a flat battery. Physically we are weakened and often we stumbled, unable to walk or stand, and crashed down, kneeling, shaking, weak and vulnerable.

    And then He came, and He wrapped us, and He lifted us. He encouraged us and spoke to us. He answered our prayers and heard our cries. His arms enfolded us and He held our shaking bodies, and at those times we know, He loves us more than we could ever imagine, because His love was physical, and tangible. His love was not just water, it was not just fertilizer and frost cover, it was completely sustaining physically, emotionally, spiritually and very, very personal.

    We, His children, have no reason to experience discontent, no place to suffer a winter. In what we thought was “the winter of my discontent” God proved that we were in a period of profound growth, growth in Him and growth in His Holy Spirit. God uplifted us and sustained us through the toughest time. He, and only He, held us in His righteous hand, He calmed the storms raging inside and lifted our eyes to the Son. God is ever present, always strong and infinitely loving.

    Today we stand, eyes fixed on Jesus, with assured knowledge we are exactly where He wants us to be, firmly gripped by His hand, safely folded within His wings. I have been granted the ability to steer my family through this tragedy, God has given me wisdom and compassion. We have been given grace to stand together and support our sons, build our marriage, make a home and continue with life here on earth, only because He is great, He sustains and He is abounding in love, only because He is our all in all.

    In winter the trees grow underground, the roots reach deeper, the protective bark thickens, only to prepare the tree for the coming of the new season. Nothing is without a reason, seasons have their purpose and God is totally in control of ALL things great or small. We can truthfully and with conviction say there is no reason to worry, no place for discontent, no easier avenue to the goal.

    Whatever road you are on, whatever trial you have fallen into, nothing can be beyond His knowledge, above His wisdom, hidden from His sight or outside the sphere of His control, not a thing, absolutely nothing happens without His knowledge.

    It was a privilege to raise him for years, input into his life and watch him grow. It was awesome to know the young man, argue, love, laugh, share and be with him. His death was frightening, traumatic and physically painful, but His voice was soothing, assuring and full of love. We know he is there, in a better place, shrouded in glory, shining and perfect. We understand his time was up, his work was done, and He took His own, home to Him. Thankfully and humbly we bow, the buds are clipped the branches are pruned, the stake is tied on and we are formed to His will, joyfully and obediently, because He is in control. We can lift our heads because the season is changing, the discontent abates and the glorious Son is shining.

    Christo & Elsa Visser