In times of uncertainty, it can be difficult to see better days ahead. We have no better reminder of this than living in northeast Ohio. The weather is unpredictable, the sports teams are questionable, and the potholes could swallow your car. No matter where you live, all of us have family members get sick, jobs lost, and sometimes we may be forced to move to a new city. Change and trouble are often unavoidable.
The good news? Dark days will end.
How do I know? Just take a look at spring. It reminds us that bad days aren’t the only ones we live in. Ohio families really look forward to spring. After a very long winter, spring is a time of hope. What seemed impossible just a few months ago becomes possible. The sun stays longer. The flowers begin to bloom. The grass turns from brown to green, and the kids get to head outside (which is as good for us as it is for them).
The sunny days help us forget the dark days. Hope has arrived.
For Christians everywhere, spring delivers another kind of hope. As Martin Luther writes, “Our Lord has written the promise of resurrection, not in books alone, but in every leaf in springtime.” Jesus’ resurrection that we just celebrated on Easter reminds Christians of a better day coming. Not like the days of hurt and pain. A day of healing and restoration.
The dark days will come. The bright days will, too. One day, the bright ones will stay forever.