PERSONAL

A few verses from the song titled 'PERSONAL' by Joanne Hogg

Much of what I've sung before
Seemed to be more in my head
But now I feel the difference
I'm singing in my heart, singing in my heart instead.

For winter has been and gone
Springtime has come
Love's been awakened in me
And You're the One
You're the One.

How do I put into words
What Your love is like
It's like Father love and Mother love
All rolled into one.

The Lover that You are to me
The Friend You have become
You're the place I find my rest
How do I describe what is so personal.

When I first heard this song my mind went back to the time of first knowing the Lord - the cold winter of not belonging had been and gone, springtime had come. I knew for the first time the warmth of the love of God and my heart was alive in Him.

As I became more familiar with the song and as the Lord was speaking to my heart He awakened me to see that even as His children we can still experience the cold chills of winter. A season when the earth is still, days are dark, the sky is heavy and all looks bleak. A season when we see so little sunshine or warmth to cheer and take the edge off those chills that blow.

And yet, how do we view winter? What is our outlook in this season of darkness and heaviness of heart? Do we doubt the sun will ever shine again? Have we seen our last skipping lambs in the fields? Heard the last young birds chirp relentlessly for food? Seen the last golden daffodil head sway in the breeze?
No, as sure as winter comes, the days begin to lighten again and spring follows.... the earth brings forth her new life again.

In our seasons of spiritual winter how do we fare? Do we brace ourselves against the storms, confident that they too will pass and that we are safe in the shelter of our loving Saviour? We do not experience seasons of winter without reason. Is God drawing us aside, allowing us a season of coolness that we might burst forth with new life and renewed vigour in Him? IN HIM. He is our security, our shelter, our refuge, our hiding place, WHATEVER the season. HE CHANGES NOT.

Love's been awakend in me....I'm singing in my heart.