Winter Solstice
The shortest day, also called the winter solstice, entered our dark little Netherlands on December 21st.It is a day with the least amount of sunshine. On this day, the sun reaches its lowest point in the sky, resulting in the fewest hours of daylight and the longest night. This also marks the beginning of winter; short days and long nights. At the same time, this also symbolizes the turning point towards increasing daylight, although it will take more than a month from that moment before we will notice anything of it. The days are mostly short, dark and cold. I leave home in the dark to go to work and when I drive home in the dark after a day of work, I ask myself the question; “Has it even been light today?” LOL. This natural phenomenon reminds me of life in this broken and fallen world, the darkness can seize you from time to time. The sadness, pain or brokenness of the people around you, or perhaps in your own life, can then overwhelm you. The darkness and gloom is long and a path to light seems far away.Your days can feel dark, cold and lonely. “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”- John 8:12 Exchange your cargo Yet, there is a Light to be found in our world, although it is not of this world. Jesus is that Light (John 8:12) and a life with Him can lighten your dark moments. The situation does not necessarily have to change immediately, but with Him, it will be more bearable and His peace and joy will carry you through those moments. It is a command from Jesus Himself, to come to Him with our problems, with our sorrow and with our pain and brokenness because when we do that, He will give us His peace and rest (Matthew 11:28-30). “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” – Matthew 11:28-30 You may bring everything to Him, as it were you exchange cargo, you give Him yours, and He will give you His. Step by step He will then lead you to the light, to a place of rest in the midst of your storms, in the midst of the darkness. “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” – Hebrews 13:5 Child of The Most High Like everyone else, I have had dark days. Days when, just like on this shortest day in December, there was little or no light to be seen. Worries or sorrows can grip you, moments when heaven seems brass, prayers unanswered and God seems miles away. In those moments, it is all about walking by faith (2 Corinthians 5:7) and not about what you see, hear or experience. Knowing your authority in Christ, that you are a child of the Most High, and knowing that God will never leave you (Hebrews 13:5). “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them.” – Mark 11:23 Storms will continue to come as long as we are here, that is also what Jesus tells us (John 16:33). Yet, it is possible for us Christians in the midst of those difficulties to experience joy, peace and rest. Jesus even gave us the authority to speak to our mountains (problems) ourselves (Mark 11:23). Knowing that you are a child of God and are placed with Jesus above all powers and principalities in the heavenly places and are seated with Him at the right hand of God is crucial at those times (Ephesians 2:6, Ephesians 1:20-21). It gives you the power to resist all those problems and difficulties that you experience in your life at that moment. Perhaps you are currently in a period in your life that is similar to the winter solstice in the Netherlands; dark and cold; I want to encourage you to search God’s Word and ask the Holy Spirit to give you a revelation about the position in which you are as a child of the Most High (Ephesians 1:17). “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.”-Ephesians 1:17 Above all, hold on to your faith, hold on to Jesus. Keep your eyes on Him, for He is the Author and Finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). He will guide you through those days filled with darkness, and He will bring you to the place of rest (Psalm 23). “1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” – Psalm 23