Articles
The Kingdom
“V tsarstve nadezhdy zimy net” is a Russian proverb which means, "In the kingdom of hope there is no winter." This can mean many things to many individuals, depending on where your hope lies and what you believe the kingdom of hope to be. As Christians, our hope lies with God and the kingdom of hope is where He resides: heaven. When you think of hope, what do you think of? What do you consider to be the kingdom of hope?
When we think of hope as Christians, we are taught to think of love, goodness, patience, understanding, happiness, and all else that is good. The reason for this is because these are all fruits of the Holy Spirit, and in a way these are all God. This is also why in His kingdom of heaven there is no “winter” but only warmth. Sometimes it seems like there is no other spiritual season but winter on this earth. I can’t speak on anyone else’s behalf, but when I was a self-serving, closed-minded teenager, my hope was in myself and this world. It is true to say that there were days to which I felt great and accomplished much. But, the winter of this world still loomed in my heart and made me bitter and angry. When problems arose, it naturally wasn’t my fault--right? So even when problems were solved, they never truly went away.
Another good proverb is that the pen is mightier then the sword. And when you go through this world hoping like I did before I was a Christian, it is as if you are going through this world fighting with a sword: getting worn down and dulled through the stresses of this life. What will you do when your sword breaks, there is no one--not even yourself--to blame, and help is not helping? Will you then pick up your pen? What if it is too late? I can tell you, as long as you are alive it is never too late to seek the beauty and warmth of a life that cannot die, one in which you have the means to seek love, the good, and self-control when winter comes.
As long as you are alive, winter will be there. But with God, you will not face it alone and you will overcome it. With God, you not only have His hope in this world, but in the next: you will go to His kingdom of hope, where eternally winter does not exist. As Christians we are not here to judge, force you to believe, or overbear you with our faith. It is your choice and if your heart seeks answers to spiritual questions, prayers, help, repentance, and love. We at West Mason are happy to be of service.
Biblical references: Ecclesiastes 4:11; Luke 17:20-37; Galatians 5:19-22; Philippians 3:12-21; Matthew 16:23-28; Titus 2:7-14
