I stepped out of my apartment and shuddered. The brisk morning air was quiet, yet it seemed to be shouting at me, "WINTER IS COMING!!!" Now for many, that proclamation would be met with joy for fond thoughts of the holiday season to come, but I couldn’t help but notice the dread that settled over me. “Oh boy...” I thought, “the seasons are changing again. Here comes the dark and cold time of year when the days are short and the nights long.”

Perhaps it’s obvious to you now that I deal with a bit of seasonal depression during the Winter months. But perhaps you’ve also noticed that it’s barely the beginning of Fall! What business did I have fastforwarding all the way to Winter already? And of course you’re right. I too noticed this and wondered why I had such a dread-full response to the brisk morning air.

I think it centers around my fear of change and the fact that I’m not in control. On that morning, I was focused on the inevitability of the changing seasons. That it was months away was trivial, because the depressing thought was that it will come no matter what. Just like the Grinch couldn’t stop Christmas, I can’t stop Winter from approaching.

In revisiting this experience a while later, Jesus graciously reminded me that he is present with me no matter what season of the year it is. He brought Psalm 139 to mind, proclaiming that there is nowhere and “nowhen” that he will not be present to love and lead me.

7 Where shall I go from your Spirit?
   Or where shall I flee from your presence?
8 If I ascend to heaven, you are there!
   If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!
9 If I take the wings of the morning
   and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
10 even there your hand shall lead me,
   and your right hand shall hold me.
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me,
   and the light about me be night,”
12 even the darkness is not dark to you;
   the night is bright as the day,
   for darkness is as light with you.

A frigid igloo in the dead of winter–he’s there! On top of Mt. Krumpet about to dump it–he’s there! A month before the election, bracing for the chaos–he’s there! Completely overwhelmed by life and stuck in paralysis–he’s there!

Jesus promises his love and presence in ALL circumstances!

Now, I don’t feel much differently about the approaching Winter (or the approaching election) but Jesus’ present companionship allows me to say “yes” to these realities that I find unsettling. “Yes, Jesus, I do not like this or that, but I will say 'yes' to this season because you are near. Whatever comes, you are with me and in your loving presence all things can be redeemed.”

Friend, whatever unwelcome circumstances you may be facing or dreading, you are not alone, the Lord is near.

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