Endurance
By Denise Shoemaker

I freely admit that I am not a fan of winter. I do enjoy wearing sweaters and drinking hot chocolate, but that’s pretty much where it ends. Toward the end of November or beginning of December, I start preparing for the season by reminding myself I’ve gone through this many times before and always survived.

When March finally arrives, I begin to feel hope. The color green (one of my favorites) begins to show up again, and the wind starts to have a little warmth in it. I enjoy the feeling of renewal and growth and look forward to turning onto my street to see our Bradford pear tree blooming for that wonderful few days to signal spring is definitely here.

Both of these time periods involve necessary changes taking place in nature. Although I don’t like each of these changes, they benefit me. The spring season I enjoy can only happen because of the winter season I endure.

This routine occurrence in nature is also routine for the lives God has planned for us. In Hebrews the word endure shows up quite a few times. We have the example of Abraham.

For when God made a promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, saying, "Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you." And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise” (Heb. 6:13-15).

Hebrews 10:35-36 encourages us—

Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise.

God fulfills a little promise for me just by melting the snow—how much greater are His spiritual promises!

Denise Shoemaker teaches seventh grade English in Bolivar, Missouri.