Preparing the Way

4as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah, ‘The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. 5 Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth; 6 and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.” ’ ~ Luke 3:4-6

Outside the window, I have noticed the once barren ground of winter is quickly being dressed by the green growth of spring. I can still see some bare spots, where the rains continue to erode the uncovered soil, but even that will soon be overtaken by grass and vines as they continue to spread out in the warmth of the sun. Even the leaves are popping out of their buds to help dress the trees in their annual green finery.

Lives often have barren times – times of sadness, illness, loss and stress. They often feel like they are never ending to those experiencing them. Sometimes it feels as though one barren time piles right down upon another, like a mudslide in the torrential rainstorm. It is in those times of deepest despair that many give up all hope of being saved, yet those who know God have the hope that they are not abandoned in these dark times.

We must always remember to keep our hearts and minds open even in the hardest times of our lives to allow God to work within our darkness to bring us out into the light of His unfailing love. Only He can take our twisted paths of difficulties and make them lead straight to His renewing grace. He will fill the emptiness in our lives with the beauty of all He has provided for us. All obstacles can be overcome when we lean on His unfailing strength that will help make the hard times of this life more bearable. It is in the difficulties of our lives that we often see God’s hand at work, pulling us out of the darkness and mire and into the light of His love.

As God fills in the barrenness of winter with the green growth of spring, so too will He fill our difficult times with His love, strength and grace to see us through to better times ahead. The emptiness of our lives can once again be filled with the beauty of the life He has created for us to live if we leave ourselves open to receive it from Him. Like the barren ground, we must allow the seeds of His unending love blossom in the light of His grace.

Prayer

Lord of my salvation,

Help us to keep our hearts and minds open to Your never ending love for us. Thank you for always walking beside us – leading us through the hardest times of our lives into the light of Your unending grace. Amen.

~ Wendy Miller