Promise
It’s certainly tempting, isn’t it? During those long cold months, to look around and see Winter’s grip on this old world and think Ugh; how depressing is this?
But if you stop there, you’ll miss something important.
Brown, Brown Everywhere
My flight wasn’t really all that long – only a few hours. I was on my way back to Houston from Denver – after spending a few days in Durango, Colorado. (Did that make sense? Yes? Good.)
I spent a few moments looking out the window, surprised at how different the landscape was than around Durango. I mean, Durango is pretty much surrounded by snow-covered mountains (it was February, after all), and is a beautifully scenic spot.
Now, flyin’ outta Denver, once in the air you’d expect to see mountains, right? (I guess you would if you flew in another direction.) But almost immediately upon leaving Denver, the first thing that greeted my eyes were miles and miles of this dismal-lookin’ stretch of land – nothin’ but brown, dead earth as far as the eye can see. Oh, there’s a few spots of green here and there, but it was mostly, well, a whole lotta nothin’. To tell you the truth, it was actually kinda depressing.
But then I got to ruminating about it (as I am wont to do every now and then) – what was I really seein’ out there?
Not Dead, Just Dormant
Is it really a scene of complete lifelessness? Of course not! No, it’s merely a – well, a snapshot, taken at one point in the continuing cycle of growth and abundance. I mean, every year it’s the same story: Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. Next year (assuming the Lord tarries and the creek don’t rise), it’ll happen all over again, right?
The ironic thing is, without one season, there will hardly be another. Yup, that’s right; without the dormancy of late Fall, or of Winter’s bleakness, the land won’t have a chance to “rest”. And without that, most plants won’t germinate or even grow properly, either. In fact, that cycle is built into just about everything organic on this ol’ planet.
Oh, I know it’s a lot more complicated than that. But still, I think you get the picture, right? Any way you slice it, it’s pretty amazing, don’cha think?
So, after a few moments of contemplation (sound of gears grinding), I realized I wasn’t looking at desolation out there. No, what I was really seeing was – promise!
And that’s just all right by me!
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Photo: Dormant, by Robert Hruzek
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Robert,
When I looked at the colorless, lifeless landscape in Korea during the winter months, it was hard to remind myself that I was merely looking at greenery in resting.
But now, the greenery has come back out, and the crops are starting to sprout. Everything just seems so fresh and rejuvenated!
Robert – Lovely post. Among your words I find a spiritual promise as well. Sometimes looking into my own heart I feel lifeless. But it is just a moment, the Holy Spirit is doing a work. Then suddenly, amazing how quickly the green comes forth. Newness, growth, fulfillment of His promise – “I will never leave you or forsake you.” “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” The cycle continues. Thanks for the visual.
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True, Robert, true! But it’s mid April and they are predicting snow for tomorrow. I’m ready to move past promise.
Brad Shorrs last blog post..Book Review – World Wide Rave, by David Meerman Scott
Just last week Barbara Swafford at Blogging Without A Blog posted the video of Susan Boyle’s singing performance for Britain’s Got Talent. As the frumpy, plain grandmother walked across the stage, the audience reaction was less than stellar. A few jeers and eye rolls from the youngest of the audience.
Her countenance never changed though. She smiled and answered the questions.
Then she started to sing.
Her most amazing voice quieted the audience at first, and then the house erupted. They were listening to the voice of an angel.
She showed up all brown and dormant.
She left shiny, green and colorful.
George
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Robert – Spring is a lot like a longing or an ache that starts about mid march…a wanting that sortof sits in the pit of our stomach …are we done yet?? Here in the midwest while the “green” does come, it’s still pending and annoying as heck. I remind myself at least based on the calendar that sweater weather around here is until June! Then it gets so darn hot that we go straight to bikini’s -
By the way happy earth day!
@Andrew – Even the name, “Spring,” is an action! Describes quite well what happens when the rest is over. Sometimes hard to remember when in the midst of winter, though…
@Nancy – Hey, you’re welcome! I know what you mean, too. We’ve all felt times of “bein’ on hold” so to speak. It’s during those times we have to rest in the knowledge that God never stops.
As Solomon so wisely put it, there’s a time for everything.
@Brad – Yeah, I can’t believe you guys are still lookin’ at… snow (sound of terrified scream)! Yeesh! I’m looking for ‘waaaay warmer weather for SOBCon, y’know?
@Tumblemoose – George, I saw that video the other day – what a voice! A great many lessons can be drawn from that – some obvious, some subtle – but it was a wonderful blessing to see it happening!
@Karen – Yeah, that longing feeling; I know what you’re sayin’. Good practice for not loosing hope, though. And all the more joyous when it finally arrives, wouldn’t ya say?
Great reminder that’s so applicable to much of life! Here in the Northwest it’s very green, of course that’s due to all our rain!
This dormant stage is almost like a planning stage. We don’t “see” anything happening, but when the plan is in motion, all of a sudden, it seems, we’re in green again.
I like how you say it’s promise – how right you are.
Thanks for the post.
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I live in the barren desert, so I get to see that landscape often! I miss the green pine trees and lush landscapes of other areas!
Robert, whenever I read your posts, I cannot help but feel inspired.
I’ll have to say that your seemingly endless positivity is refreshing in a world and time when so many people have reason to, and often do – repeatedly, complain. This post is yet another great example of such an attitude.
Thank you for putting yet another smile on my face.
Matt
@Val – Yep; I’ve lived up there in the Great Northwest – absolutely beautiful! In the mountains, anyway. The valleys – where the food is grown – well, they get their share of dormancy, don’t they?
@Laurie – Hey, I like that – planning stage. The only thing is, unless we’re the ones doin’ the planning, it feels more like abandonment, doesn’t it? The bottom line: ya gotta have faith!
@Joel – In the desert, it’s not so much winter that causes dormancy, but the lack of rainfall. Then when it starts to pour, the desert blooms!
@Matt – Hey, kind of you to say so, Matt; I appreciate it. I guess it just seems easier to have a positive outlook than a negative one – well, to me, anyway.
This is the natural circle of life, Robert. And, there’s also one of the most beautiful and memorable things as well.
Yeah, I agreed with your thought here, as having a good rest is to go further…
@Wilson – I think you summed it up well, Wilson! Hat tip to ya!