On Wednesday morning I felt well enough to go for the first run in a very long time.
The sky was clear, the sun was rising, the snow pristine, and I felt compelled to venture out again into the local woods.
I realized I had missed almost completely the beautiful fall season and was now suddenly plunged deep into the heart of Minnesota’s winter wonderland.
Quite honestly it was like being resurrected from the dead!
As I jogged gently along the trail taking in the creator’s glorious handiwork, an old chorus rose up in my spirit,
“We shall rise! We shall rise! on that resurrection morning we shall rise!
Realizing I needed to listen to my healing body I slowed to a walk, and then saw approaching an odd sight.
Coming toward me was a figure wheeling a unicycle along the narrow snow trail! We slowed and stopped to exchange a greeting.
“You’re going to ride that, on this trail?” I asked, pointing to the unicycle.
“Checking it out first.” He replied. “But it looks good”
.……..and what a great day!” He added.
“A Resurrection day!” I replied.
“Yes! …..and for you too!”
He grinned………. “Enjoy it!”
As we went our separate ways I reflected on his smiling countenance – like that of a clown who you might imagine having fun riding such a wheel.
I was genuinely left wondering, “Man or angel?” Then concluded that whether a natural or supernatural being he certainly was God’s messenger and in that sense His angel sent to me, confirming the joy and hope of resurrection beyond “the grave times” not only I but the whole world has been experiencing of late!
Arriving home I checked emails and was surprised and delighted to received two heartwarming messages from friends with whom we had lost contact with about 20 years before, and whom we thought we might never hear from again!
One friend was named Renee, meaning….NEW BIRTH.…“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us NEW BIRTH into a LIVING HOPE through the RESURRECTION of Jesus Christ from the dead.” (1 Pt.1:3)
At a personal level be encouraged that our Father is the Smiling Unicyclist…….those things and people you fear you have lost, will circle round in God’s perfect time.
The other friend was called Newton…from NEW town or CITY …...”I saw the Holy CITY, the NEW Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband……….And the One seated on the throne said, “Behold, I make ALL THINGS NEW” (Rev. 21:2,5)
At a cosmic level be encouraged that our Father is the Great Unicyclist…….whose plan is that the whole of his creation will circle back round to him in the end….
“…..and through him (Christ) to reconcile to himself ALL things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.” (Col.1:20)