The sun is shining through my bedroom window this morning. The icicles are shrinking from the easements on the roof. The last trace of snow is doing its best to cling to the top of my boxwoods and there should be no trace of any ice by this time tomorrow. Spring Break is just weeks away and with it comes the promise of warmth, sun, and longer days filled with newness and hope.
With the drip of melting icicles in the background, the words from my favorite hymn filled my heart:
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness;
Drive the dark of doubt away;
Giver of immortal gladness,
Fill us with the light of day!
Winter is a fleeting season. Some days, it feels like it will never end, but the sun has a way of consistently returning to warm the earth every year. Even more consistent than the changing seasons is the love of God. He has blotted out our sin. He shines light in the darkness so there will be no more confusion or doubt. He illuminates, loves, protects and gives life. Do you know how blessed you are? There is no reason to hang out in the dark clouds of guilt. Your sin and reason to be sad have been removed. God is the giver of immortal gladness; claim that gift and get to rejoicing. Be filled with His light.
Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee, God of glory, Lord of love;
Hearts unfold like flowers before Thee, opening to the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness; drive the dark of doubt away;
Giver of immortal gladness, fill us with the light of day!
All Thy works with joy surround Thee, earth and heaven reflect Thy rays,
Stars and angels sing around Thee, center of unbroken praise.
Field and forest, vale and mountain, flowery meadow, flashing sea,
Singing bird and flowing fountain call us to rejoice in Thee.
Thou art giving and forgiving, ever blessing, ever blessed,
Wellspring of the joy of living, ocean depth of happy rest!
Thou our Father, Christ our Brother, all who live in love are Thine;
Teach us how to love each other, lift us to the joy divine.
Mortals, join the happy chorus, which the morning stars began;
Father love is reigning o’er us, brother love binds man to man.
Ever singing, march we onward, victors in the midst of strife,
Joyful music leads us Sunward in the triumph song of life.
Henry J. van Dyke 1907