The River Beneath the Ice

In deep winter, a river does not cease flowing simply because ice has sealed its surface. Beneath the frozen crust, water moves — dark, unseen, persistent. This is the hidden logic of Romans 5:3-5, where Paul traces suffering's quiet descent into endurance, endurance into character, character into hope. John of the Cross knew this geography intimately. He called it the noche oscura — not punishment, but a stripping away of every false light so the soul might finally perceive the radiance of God Himself.…