The warm wind mercilessly ripped the snow covering from the spindly black spruces huddled together in the bog. How could this warm wind have arrived at the end of December? On Christmas day, the below-freezing temperatures had brought a beautiful steady snow that cloaked all the trees in ermine. Now the elevated temperatures were melting the two feet of snow on the ground, and the winds were mercilessly abusing the naked trees.

As I walked carefully along the trail of melting snow, I mused on the parallels of winter with the Christian life. The moment Christ enters our lives, we are securely clothed in His righteousness. His beauty covers all our past, and we bask in the comfort of His care. Then, as the days slip past, Satan begins his subtle work, insidiously inching us out of Christ’s gentle embrace, slowly raising the temperature of our questions and doubts. How could Christ love us enough to bear our sins? Will He continue to love us so?

Then the winds of trouble begin to blow, buffeting us with challenges and trying our faith. Things don’t turn out as we expected. We were tithing—why this financial trouble? We were trying to live healthfully—why this illness? We were working for His church—why are we now without a job? If He loves us, why does He not bless our efforts to please Him?

This is the time when we must flee to His word and cling to His promises. “He who promised is faithful” (Heb. 10:23). “You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised” (Heb. 10:36).

As the snowmelt drips from the eaves of houses and the tips of branches, I see on the horizon a cloud holding the promise of new snow. Once again the trees will glory in their ermine coats. Once again our lives will be enveloped in the warmth of God’s more obvious blessings, even as so many pass unnoticed each day.

So may the “God of peace . . . equip you with everything good for doing His will, and may He work in us what is pleasing to Him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever” (Heb. 13:20, 21).

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