It's been awhile since I had previously gone through Chuck Swindoll's book "Come before Winter and Share My Hope". I decided to use it as my next devotional, for I've always found Paul's last letter to Timothy to be particularly poignant, containing heartfelt words from a faithful minister of the gospel to one whom he loved like a son.
There were some things that were said in the Introduction to the book that really spoke to me, being very applicable at this time of my life:
- "People...occasionally find themselves in depressing places of confinement or restraint, with no sense of purpose or direction. I call such experiences the winter of our lives." - I do feel like I'm going through a "winter" season. Though I have much to be grateful for, and even have meaningful areas of ministry, I feel like I'm just "going through the motions"; almost as if I'm in hibernation, waiting for spring to come.
- "No other season in life's annual cycle better represents reality as we attempt to live out what we claim to believe. Just as a calendar cannot skip those bone-chilling months, we cannot escape the barren days!" - This is similar to the message through our studies on trials, that we should expect these as part of life. I like the comment made in the book that winter can be endured with much greater success if we prepare for its arrival.
- "Perseverance steadies our course. Though days are bleak and time seems to stand deathly still as the darkness thickens, He stays near." - This is a reminder and promise I need to hang onto.
- "Finally, in grace, God's other hand pulls back winter's drape." - This is the HOPE that we have as believers.
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