by Desiree Bustamante

There will be a new season of hope in Christ.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“Look, the winter is past,
    and the rains are over and gone.
The flowers are springing up,
    the season of singing birds has come,
    and the cooing of turtledoves fills the air.”
Song of Solomon 2:11-12 New Living Translation

After a long cold winter, lack of sunlight, and much rain or snow, it is refreshing to get outside and feel the warmth of sunshine on your face. Then when the earth turns green and flowers bloom, there is a sense of joy that returns again and brings smiles and hope.

Many people are living in winter now, where their hearts feel heavy, and hope is still buried in the cold ground of their souls. Sometimes grief, disappointment or fear has stolen the joy once alive and thriving in their life. The weight of sin’s consequence in this world is a heavy burden to bear every day, and some days it is much harder to keep hope afloat and to find courage to face the gloomy nights.

Yet deep in our souls, where Christ always lives, we know that He is with us and comforts us even in the darkest depths of our despair. He never leaves us no matter how we feel one day after the next. He understands our sadness, our pain and our losses because He endured those in His life on earth. His promise to never leave you or forsake you is real.

I’m praying that if you are facing days like this now, may joy rise up again in your soul very soon, just like spring after a long winter. Jesus is working in you right now to heal your pain so you can once again hear the birds singing and experience the light heartedness that comes with feeling freedom and true joy. He takes care of each precious flower that He created. He certainly cares even more for you, His beloved child.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado