We are still in the midst of winter: cold weather, sometimes rain, snow in the mountains, leafless and seemingly lifeless trees. It is a cold drab landscape compared to the flowers of spring and the warmth of summer or even the colors of fall. And yet, there can be no lively spring without the quiet entombment of winter.
Life is not meant to be lived in monochrome but in technicolor. I like pastel shades but one shade is not enough to describe life as it is meant to be lived. Life is a kaleidoscope, a tapestry, a potpourri and a melange of many different things – sometimes conflicting, other times complementing. Often, I would like to cherry-pick my life experiences, preferring only the good and happy times and glossing over the the sad and dark times. Now in my wintry years, I can find warmth even in the midst of the cold. I can find peace and joy in the quiet. I can see glimpses of new lights even in the dimness.
People were amazed by and followed Jesus when he healed many of them, fed them by the thousand and spoke to them inspiring words. But they wanted him dead when he held up a mirror to them and showed them their weaknesses, their failings and the emptiness in their lives. Others do that as well: they break people down and leave them broken. But Christ breaks us up to make us anew: better, stronger and move lovable.
All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. They said, “Is not this Joseph’s son?”
When they heard this, all in the synagogue were filled with rage. They got up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they might hurl him off the cliff. But he passed through the midst of them and went on his way.
Luke 4:21-30