“You laid out the four corners of earth, shaped the seasons of summer and winter.” Psalm 74:17 (MSG)

“He energizes those who get tired, gives fresh strength to dropouts.” Isaiah 40:29 (MSG)

I used to dislike winter. There was no way I would consider going out into the freezing cold if I didn’t have to, and when my wife would invite me to go for walks, I was quick to turn her down. Brrr! The mere thought would chill me right to the core of my being.

My body didn’t help me with this. The first time I would get cold, it would pierce right through to my bones, and I’d be cold for the rest of the winter. Hot showers didn’t help. The chill would be there until Spring–Which, by the way, I eagerly anticipated!

This all changed with my CPAP troubles. Ever since I yearn for fresh air, and I go out for a walk every day, no matter how hard the wind blows, no matter how cold it is. In other words . . . nothing can stop me. For some reason, the cold no longer fazes me. It no longer settles into my bones. In fact, I often walk in -15C degree weather with my coat open wide. As you can imagine, I have embraced winter ever since! I agree with those who live in Alaska: There is no bad weather, only bad gear!

If God has given us winter, it is for us to enjoy and embrace. It wasn’t created so that we could shiver while looking through a window. It was created to give us beauty. Have you noticed how nature is embellished when it snows? The fluff-covered trees look glorious, and the ice storms render nature even more beautiful. Winter literally turns nature into a ferry-tale world where we can’t help but say, “Wow!”

Having said all of that, I have to admit that my favorite season of the year is still summer. I love it when the sun shines warmly. Thus, during winter, I anticipate the day when Spring will wake nature back up, and the dead (trees,flowers) will arise. It is a great illustration of what we anticipate when Jesus comes back for us–And He will certainly come back!

Winters don’t faze me any longer. They energize me. Join me for a walk and discover the beauty of this season. And because winter will soon be coming on again, what better time to write about it than during the summer!

Rob Chaffart

(To access the entire, “Flying Like an Eagle” devotional series, please click here.)