Pastor's Note

WHEN THE SNOW MELTS
March 16th, 2008

Some winters, we have snow piled so high that I think to myself that it will be around until June. Sometimes the banks of snow from the snowplow seem so solid and massive that they will have a very long stay. But every year, the very same thing happens. Spring comes – even when we feel it won’t – and the snow quickly disappears. Even the kids’ snow forts and giant snowmen give way to warm weather and sunshine.
That is the power of the spring force around us. Warmth wins out over cold; sunlight overcomes darkness; and new life conquers the barrenness of winter.
We in the northern hemisphere have this annual reminder of new life just as we enter Holy Week and prepare to celebrate the power of Jesus’ new life overcoming death. It’s as if the entire natural world around us is helping us remember what this great event is all about.
Of course, we know that even when the calendar indicates the season of spring has begun; our weather may still seem like winter. In the same way, although our church moves from Lenten barrenness to Easter joy, there are those who are still struggling and hurting for various reasons. Regardless of our own readiness, what we observe this week gives us hope to trust that God will bring life out of death and joy out of sorrow.
Please join me this week in walking with the Lord on this holy journey.