When we were considering moving to Long Island I asked about the weather since I am not a fan of cold. I was told the weather was usually only 8-10 degrees cooler than Tennessee and that it didn’t snow all that much. Sounded like something I could manage. But alas, since arriving, Long Island has had the two snowiest and coldest winters in many years. We’re talking feet of snow, not inches like I was used to. I now know what a Noreaster is and I’ve experienced enough snow to last me a life time. We returned a few weeks ago from a trip to TN to find the accumulation of several snows that had fallen in our absence. Snow for many is a welcome respite from school, work, or the constant running of our lives. But for me, it is not a welcome site.
The initial awe of the beauty of the snow is quickly followed by the realization of just how difficult it makes my life. Taking care of 17 horses, 50+ chickens, 3 mini donkeys, a potbellied pig, and a partridge in a pear tree is extremely hard when the snow is so deep. Combined with the snow is the ever present cold and wind. Gates can’t be opened, water is frozen, and the snow is literally so deep that the horses, nor myself can get to some areas of the farm. Couple that with the need to wear multiple layers of clothing and it is all a recipe for difficulty, frustration, and exhaustion. Just the act of walking from one place to the other is so hard. The constant need to “trudge” thru the deep snow is so tiring.
Why is life so much like that sometimes? In stark contrast to the summer when walking is easy, water is easily attainable, and the horses can go from place to place without effort, the winter is heavy and hard. Life is so similar. Sometimes in our lives we feel like we are skipping thru, unencumbered, light, and free. Then come those times when we feel like we are burdened, heavy, and trudging thru. Life then gets so hard that even putting one foot in front of the other takes all the effort we can muster. Just like taking the next step in deep, deep snow, we have to force ourselves to move on. Often we just feel like sitting down and quitting. Meanwhile, I and probably you too, rail at God for making things so difficult for us. We ask, “Why God, does it have to be so hard”?
Life is hard! That fact will never change. In fact, God tells us that we will have trials and tribulations. Expect them. Welcome them. Learn from them. Yet God also promises us joy, contentment, and peace. How can these two both be true? The promises many times seem meant for “others” only. Yet the promises are for all his children, so why is it so difficult at times? For me, and probably lots of others, the answer lies in how closely I am walking with my God. I find that when I am spending time with Him, praising Him, and listening to his leading I can walk easily. But when I get weighed down with what I see with my eyes, focusing on the difficulty of life, and trying in vain to figure it out for myself, the walk becomes trudging. Each step is hard and the effort to take the next one seems not worth the energy is requires.
I don’t know about you, but I want to walk with light and purposeful steps, not trudge. Trudging is too hard. It makes even going out to face the day seem too daunting. When I am weighed down with the “stuff” of this world it’s heavy and hard. I want to cast it all off, take hold of His hand and walk each day unencumbered, ready to hear His voice, and let him lead. His promises are real and true. They are for us all, but we must trust him completely with our lives. We have to actively submit to him, not to the circumstances. My prayer for us all is that we give up the efforts to control it all and humbly let God bear the burdens of this life so that we can walk with light and easy steps. No more trudging!
I Peter 5:7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God,which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Comments
Post a Comment