Serving the High Plains
Religion Columnist
“To every thing there is a season…” Ecclesiastes 3:1
The calendar states it is March and less than four weeks until Easter. After all of the snow, cold and dreary days, does that actually mean anything? It certainly does, it shows the hope of spring right around the corner and the most joyful celebration for all Christians.
Like the dreary days we experienced recently, the last week of Jesus’ life was full of gloom and despair. This time was prophesized by Isaiah an Old Testament prophet who wrote these words: “Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows…He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.”. Isaiah 53:1-7
Jesus fulfilled every one of the prophecies concerning Him. Just like us, He knew all about pain and sorrow. When the world is falling down around you, Jesus knows what you are going through. More important than that, He cares, so much that He sent the comforter to be with us. (See John 14).
Are you in the winter season where everything seems too hard to handle or even hopeless? A certain man in Lystra was in a similar situation. In Acts 14, the story of Paul healing a man who couldn’t walk is told. When the people saw what happened they thought Paul and his companion, Banabas, were gods. Paul quickly told them that they too were just men, but they were sent to preach to them so they would turn to the living God.
These people were searching for something to take them out of their situations and make life better. Instead of worshipping false gods, they were introduced to the one, true God who made everything they needed to live.
Now we are preparing to enter Spring, a time of hope and renewal. Already I witnessed some trees trying to bud out. In places the grass is starting to green up and will be followed by the first flowers of the season. In Acts 1:6-8, the people wanted to know when Jesus would restore the kingdom of Israel. They were told, “…It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth”.
Let us start preparing our hearts now for the arrival of spring and Easter. Remember, one day summer will arrive when we start witnessing the harvesting of the crops that will carry us through fall. “…Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap…” (Galatians 6:9)
Leave winter behind and move toward the SON. Easter is right around the corner.
Debra Whittington is a longtime resident of Tucumcari. Contact her at: