“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not yet seen.” – Hebrews 11:1

I’ve always had a certain disregard for the season of winter. When the days get shorter, and the sun feels farther, my soul sounds little alarm bells as if to say “I’m not ready! I don’t want to let go of this warmth, this goodness! I’m…afraid.”

I’ve coped with winter’s arrival (and, long-term stay) in a multitude of ways ranging from avoiding it, rushing it, wishing it away, filling up my calendar with fun things in hopes to “hurry it up,” etc.

In recent years, I’ve started considering what it might be like to befriend winter? To ask what secrets, what gifts, what wisdom might be found within the cold winter season? God made it; surely, He had a reason? I don’t have a profound or lengthy answer, and I’m sure there are other principles to discover, but what keeps rising to the surface for me is FAITH.

Snuggling up comfortably with the winter requires sure and deep faith that spring is coming. Faith so sure, that you patiently cover your fragile roses in a late snow, because you are ABSOLUTEY CONVINCED that there is future beauty worth protecting. Beauty that can’t be rushed or forced. Beauty that is worth the wait.

This is not a frenzied faith. This faith is not worried about whether God has the future details under control. This faith has seen spring show up over… and over… and over again. This kind of faith believes, even when our eyes can’t see anything that looks remotely close to spring.

Maybe it would be okay, then, to let my guard down with winter, and just be content here. Joyful even. Relaxed instead of alarmed at the barren stillness. Maybe I’ll imagine the wonderful things happening below the surface of the frosty soil. Maybe I’ll remember that God takes His time to strengthen plants (and people) way below the surface, sometimes under difficult, dark, and lonely circumstances. I’ll build fires to warm up and then later work those ashes into the scraggly looking flower beds and trust that God’s going to use those, too.

Because I’ve seen His hand. I’ve seen God move in ways in my own life that I still can’t even begin to articulate. He just flat out owns the principle of resurrection – which is why He’s not scared of the long cold dark days of winter any more than He feared that big cold stone that covered His tomb.

And so, I believe God invites us to consider the mysteries, the wonder of winter. By faith, we can know that, under the ground, marvelous things are happening. And so, it also is with us, my friends. Keep believing. Rest assured; Spring is coming.

Abbey Plant has over 20 years of experience in worship leadership, discipleship, event management, artistic storytelling, promotion, and community outreach. As the Promotion, Community Engagement, and Resource Coordinator for the Samford Center for Worship and the Arts, Abbey combines her leadership, communication, and resource development skills to advance programs that inspire excellence in worship and ministry.

Passionate about ministering to ministers and equipping worship leaders, she is dedicated to cultivating meaningful relationships and developing tools, experiences, and opportunities that foster both spiritual formation and professional growth. Abbey remains deeply committed to raising up the next generation of worship leaders to lead with authenticity and purpose, believing their faithful service will shape the future of the Church.

Abbey’s greatest joy lies in leading others to encounter God in worship and encouraging them to step confidently into their God-given calling. A proud graduate of Samford University, Abbey lives in Birmingham, AL, with her husband Adam and their three children.