The Heart of Winter at Hidden Bluff

The Heart of Winter. January 1, 2024.

After the festivities of the season and things begin to quiet down the mood in the air becomes more contemplative. With the winter season providing the necessary backdrop of cold weather to send us to our homes it is only natural that we ruminate more in this downtime. While the bells are ringing out the old year the New Year is birthed shortly after the start of winter. The land and its creatures are now in the long sleep to rejuvenate from their year of faithful labors. Often a white snow will arrive and cover everything. The snow cleanses the land, creating a clean slate. And at the New Year a clean slate for our hearts is what many of us desire- to be made fresh and new with past mistakes forgiven and hope on our horizon. The silent heart of winter is the right time to meditate on what is in our hearts and how God is speaking to us about our new year. And what is God trying to tell us in the quiet hour?

I had Failed God…

A few months ago, God convicted my heart of apathy in a certain area of my life- neglecting His word. When I began to dig in again and study it that I began to realize how much that negligence had impacted my life. It wasn’t intentional, but it was a sorrowful moment of repentance of asking God to cleanse my heart. Since then, my heart has been so much lighter. My spirit feels uplifted. These days a smile is often on my face before I even realize it, and it’s joy. After a while I began to hear the Spirit again. I was stunned at my own forgetfulness at how long it had been since I last heard the Spirit’s leading. Had I really become so distracted? It wasn’t hard to determine the source. Like many I had let the numerous distractions of the world take up the space in my heart that should have been God’s.

A Fresh Start…

It was time for a much-needed refresh. So, for the New Year I am keeping it simple and going back to basics. I ordered the “Behold” Bible study series on the New Testament from the Daily Grace. It is a company I have purchased a couple of studies recently after my heart was convicted of negligence, and I have really enjoyed them. These are not the deep, deep studies I have done in years past which required hours upon hours, filled with knowledge upon more knowledge. But that isn’t necessarily what my faith needed. I needed to return to the basics for a refresh on the core values of my faith. These studies are simple and more contemplative. And sometimes it is the simple truths we need to focus on.

What is God telling you in the heart of winter? Is your heart so cluttered with distraction you can’t hear? Is He leading you on a new path or fortifying you for a current one? As the calmness of winter begins it is the perfect time to be still and listen. While the world is resting allow your heart to rest in God and hear Him.

Have a beautiful day!