This past week was the solstice – summer for the northern hemisphere and winter for the southern. I live in the middle of a hot desert, so summer makes me cranky. There’s an oppressive heat that drives everyone inside for all but the most essential errands. I’m crabby and prone to starting arguments, and it gets light so early in the morning that I can’t seem to get enough sleep. In short, it’s miserable. I imagine the people weathering the depth of winter have comparable though different complaints – the looming darkness, the ever-present chill.
The solstice reminds us that the depths of our extreme seasons have an end. I’m now moving toward cooler, more bearable temperatures. Those south of the equator are moving toward longer, warmer days.
A hymn that captures this feeling for me is Abide with Me. It’s a plea for God to be with us through our good times and our bad times, our cloudy days and our sunny days. And the book of Revelation promises us that for the righteous, this prayer will be answered: “They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.” Revelation 7:16-17
3 Responses
Unlike you, winter makes me cranky so I save all my complaints for winter.
This is one of my favorite hymns. Thanks for sharing.
Emmaus road is a wonderful story from Scripture. In Matthew, Jesus says that where two or three are gathered in his name that he is in their midst. Emmaus road is a story showing the disciples experiencing this teaching. Wonderful indeed.