Faith

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A poem I recently read about winter mentioned unyielding soil - and I think, am I like that? When the cold difficulties of life hit me like freezing rain, threatening to pull down my heartstrings like heavy, icy power lines, do I run from God, or do I yield? Do I give Him all my trust, or do I hold some back for myself, just in case?

Last winter was the worst we'd seen in years. In the matter of a few hours, the rain froze on everything it touched, bringing down tree branches and power lines all across our county, leaving us in the dark and cold. Had we not been prepared for such an occasion, we might have shivered in the dark for three nights, but we suspected such a thing might happen. We brought in extra wood for the wood stove and purchased extra batteries for the flashlights.

Preparing for difficulties in advance used to seem like a lack of faith in God's provision. As age has taken over, I see it more of a yielding to the certainty of uncertainties - not waiting for something bad to happen, but anticipating my personal response to the probability.

God tells us to number our days. He reminds us of the ant who prepares for winter and the industrious mother of Proverbs 31 who prepares her household. While I agree that we are not to worry about things, we are indeed to be prepared. And the preparation of our hearts is as vital as the preparation of our homes.

This world is cold and dark and often casts an icy stare at the mention of God’s love. Psalm 119:105 says, “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” I am to hide God’s Word in my heart against the times of trouble that are bound to come. Jesus warned us that in this world we would have trouble, but then He proclaimed, “But be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

The soil eventually thaws and yields to the plow so it can produce a harvest. God often needs to plow up my plans, turn over my dreams, lay bare the hopes of my heart to the light of the Son. When I resist His will and stand frozen in place, I forfeit the beauty of possibilities, the joy of His seasons, and the peace of His gentle showers. The plowing is painful, but when those things that should not be growing in my heart (anger, bitterness, resentment) are turned over and buried with Christ, my heart can become fertile soil once more.

During the winter, my garden lies frozen, dark and rutted, sleeping in the cold while waiting for spring. Plowed, the upturned soil is exposed, naked. But underneath, the old vegetation is becoming one with the soil from which it grew last summer. It will help feed the growth for the next season. And the cycle will continue as long as we prepare the earth each year. These preparations produce rich and workable material for the garden when once more warmth causes seeds to sprout and grow, giving birth to food for our bodies.

When I become yielding soil, good things happen. Spring surrenders to the growth of summer and the heat of the sun. Then the miracle of harvest, when the time is right and the grain is ripe. My baskets will overflow with abundance because I yielded to God’s Hands, surrendered to His will, allowed Him to expose my heart and became obedient to His guidance. No longer will I be unyielding soil; no longer will I be frozen in place. I will be growing and welcoming the uncertainties, prepared with that peace which only He can give.

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