Fair-weather forecasters (probably not born and bred in Michigan) are saying this weekend is going to be chilly and drippy. But we know better, don’t we? As the northern winds and mist blow across our Mitten State a golden opportunity arises. A brief seasonal moment must be seized within a matter of days.
Of what do I speak? The autumn colors of bright red, orange, and yellow, of course! The chilly, drippy weather that unacclimated Eeyores despise comes with a grand payout: startling, jaw-dropping colors will splash across every horizon from Mackinaw to Detroit.
Come to think of it, that’s just like God.
Our Creator paints out His grace and glory in the contrasts.
Darkness then light. Evening then morning. Winter then spring.
Death then resurrection. Suffering then glory.
Feel the winds of His glorious grace in the contrasts…
We won’t understand God’s infiniteness until we understand the fractions of our finiteness.
We can’t comprehend the magnitude of God’s grace until we realize the magnitude of our sin.
We won’t know the intensity of fullest joy until we journey through valleys of pain.
We won’t taste the delights of the harvest until we spend time sweating and toiling in the field.
We can’t revel in the future weight of glory until we finish walking under the weight of the cross.
Our present sufferings will serve to intensify and amplify our future thanksgiving.
We see this path in the person of Christ through Mark’s gospel, especially highlighted at the epicenter of his account:
“And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again…” (Mark 8:31)
But this trail of contrasts into the weight of glory isn’t only for Christ, but for all who live as His followers:
“And He summoned the crowd with His disciples, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it.” (Mark 8:34-35; see also 2 Corinthians 4:16-18)
As I now look out the window of my study, I see the cold rain dripping and dropping. The blanche-gray clouds overhead indicate no-end-in-sight. Damp, dreary moisture drenches the weathered leaves on nearby trees.
Perhaps your life resembles today’s weather. I’ve been in that place, too. The waiting, dripping, suffering, chill-to-the-bones sort of circumstances are pulling your heart into shadowed valleys. The storm ceiling leaves no indication of any end in sight.
Ah, my friend, but there is. The sun will rise on the damp, frosted leaves. Bright blazes of light will sing across the horizon. You’ll want to stop your car and capture a thousand pictures of the beauty.
And with Christ, the moment will be forever.
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This Sunday at 9:15AM and 10:45AM at Mayfair Bible Church, we will turn our hearts toward the Savior who came for sinners. We’ll behold His shocking, culture-erupting grace that invaded the hearts of the dirtiest, greediest, and darkest with Light and Love. I can’t wait to continue with another message in our new series through the Gospel of Mark – this week in Mark 2:13-22. See you then and, as always, feel free to bring a friend!
