As I look out of my study window the sunny sky is partially filled with clouds floating along and they are in no great hurry. I can see that there is a breeze as the trees are swaying gently, but there appears to be a strengthening of the wind as the branches move erratically with each passing gust. It sounds like a calm picture of nature, but who knows what the wind will blow in over the coming hours.
Winter is the season when all seems dead or at the very least asleep, while underneath the soil and in the stems of plants and trees a transformation is taking place that will begin the signs of new growth. On my walk this week I saw my first snowdrops of the year and several of the trees and bushes were showing signs of buds bursting through.
As we move towards the close of Epiphany, after a brief interlude we enter the season of Lent and look towards Easter – the season in the church when we celebrate the new life that Jesus won for us through his death and resurrection. I hope that as we move closer to Easter, we may keep in our minds that there is a new way of life that we can all discover by following the ways of Jesus.
The snowdrop is a sure sign that there is life beyond the darkness of the earth, as in the soil there is movement we cannot see, but which we know is going to spring forth from the deep depths. The white of the snowdrop signifies not only the snow, but also the purity of life that is available when we wait on the Lord Jesus and follow his commandments, accept his forgiveness and live a life for which we were created.
I wish you God’s peace.
Revd Graham
