Though it may not feel like it some days, here is Southern/Central Ontario, we are almost half-way through spring. All around, the dead of winter is slowly (finally) giving way to fresh, new spring growth.

Recently, my real estate agent sent out her monthly newsletter. It contained pictures taken by a local photographer showing the strength and resiliency of Mother Nature, as God is often called. New buds were literally breaking through the dead leaved in order to grow and reach the sunlight.

I am often fascinated when I see “mother nature” fight against mankind as well. I am referring to the flowers growing up from the median along the highway or along the sidewalk. To the extreme, when man-made levees break under the pressure and weight of water.

Or the contrast of “mother nature” vs. mankind. The backdrop of a beautiful sunrise, with every shade of pink, red, orange and yellow imaginable against the miles of hydro towers and power lines.

I used to work in construction. On one job site, I took a picture of a mommy duck walking her ducklings in front of a material storage area and freight container.

There are many lessons to be learned from these examples.

1. God Prevails. No matter how bad life is going, God will make his way through the darkness and shine his light. Darkness will give way to light.
2. Sometimes death is needed to bring new life. Every winter we see the death of grass, flowers, leaves, etc. in order to make way for spring. Sometimes forests need to burn or a field cleared in order maximize growth and yield. Jesus is the epitome of this. He died in order for us to have life.
3. No matter what we have planned, what structures we build (physically or metaphorically) God will have His way with us. God will break through, and break down the walls if He has to, in order for us to see Him, to remember what He has done for us. It is also a reminder to us of what He is capable of.

When we are down in a dark place, or even in our darkest hour, we need to remember that God will work through our darkness and let in the light. If we call out to God, and be willing to accept the plans God has for us, He will prevail.

Unfortunately, there are some people who have been in the darkness for so long, they are afraid to turn toward the light. They don’t know who they are or what will happen to them if they step into the light. If you know someone like this, or if you are vulnerable and courageous enough to admit that you are this person, please pray.

Pray that God and the Holy Spirit will work their way through the darkness and let the light into their heart. Jesus died on the cross for our sins and suffering. We know there is life after death. The death and darkness within us will give way to the new light and life if we let it. We need to stop trying to do it on our own and just let God take over. Surrender every part of your heart, body, mind and soul over to God. Leave the death and darkness at the foot of the cross, right where it belongs.

Literally, as I am writing this, I got a notification on my phone, It is my Bible app sending me the verse of the day: If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and you believe in your hear that God raised Him from the Dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9

This is a reminder to me, and to all of us, that God wants us on our knees surrendering our lives and struggles to Him.

⁹ But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. ¹⁰ That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships,in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. II Corinthians 12:9-10

When we are weak, He is strong. When we are covered in darkness, He will shine His light upon us. When we fell lost, He will find us. When we feel dead inside, He will bring us back to life!