Snow Day Reflection

I was visiting with my youngest son, William, who told me that church had been cancelled up where he lives.  We also had to cancel where we live as well.  I told him that it seemed like some kind of conspiracy.  Several of the winter storms we have had in the last month have come during church times and have at times caused us to have to cancel.

We are going to miss out yet again on seeing our brethren, reading the Bible together, singing together, sharing communion, praying together, encouraging and hugging one another.

As I sit here quietly considering circumstances beyond my control, I am reminded that nothing is out of God’s control.  Even the snow is not beyond God’s control…

Psalm 147:15-19 says,

   He sends forth His command to the earth;

His word runs very swiftly.

   He gives snow like wool;

He scatters the frost like ashes.

   He casts forth His ice as fragments;

Who can stand before His cold?

   He sends forth His word and melts them;

He causes His wind to blow and the waters to flow.

   He declares His words to Jacob,

His statutes and His ordinances to Israel.

Did this just happen randomly, or is this by God’s design?  Is he using this for his purpose in some way, or is everything just happening by blind chance?  Is the snow just a cold nuisance, or is there more to the ice and snow that just this?  The Psalmist also says this...

Ps 148:7-8

   Praise the LORD from the earth,

Sea monsters and all deeps;

   Fire and hail, snow and clouds;

Stormy wind, fulfilling His word;

All creation is praising God without using words.  Concerning all this snow, I hadn’t really given this much thought until now.  Yes, this snow and ice is even praising God.  So, this morning I am meditating on the snow.   Here are something that scripture, along with the snow, reminds me of:

Isaiah 55:10-12

“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven,

And do not return there without watering the earth

And making it bear and sprout,

And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater;

So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth;

It will not return to Me empty,

Without accomplishing what I desire,

And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.

 “For you will go out with joy

And be led forth with peace;

The mountains and the hills will break forth into shouts of joy before you,

And all the trees of the field will clap their hands.

The snow, like so many other things, is doing something on the earth by God’s design.  It may not look like anything good in the moment, but in the larger picture, it is for good.  God’s word is like this snow that has quietly covered the earth.  The snow is here, and it contributes toward the springtime that is coming with the green of springtime.  God is doing something, even on a quiet day such as this where we are not venturing out.  Even though we are not able to come together to worship, sing, and encourage one another in person, God is still doing something.

Take this quiet time of snow to reflect on the ways God is helping you to bear fruit not only now, but potentially in the future as well.  What seeds are being planted and covered by snow right now?   Take this time while you are apart from your brethren to consider the blessing of fellowship and church family.  Meditate on God’s word, bury it in your heart so that it will bear fruit, even on days like today.  Praise God with the fruit of your lips. 

Yes, it is a snow day and we are not together this morning as Christ’s body.  But I am thinking of all of you this morning.  My heart is with you.  Perhaps as we all think about these things, God can still hear the music of our hearts blending together as we meditate, reflect, and offer thanks to God.  As the steam rises from the vents and chimneys on our houses, so our praises and thanksgivings rise to God.  Physically we are apart, but our hearts are together.

Thank you Lord, even for the snow.  Thank you Lord, for your redemption and reformation of our lives and hearts.  You make us whiter than the snow through Christ.  May we continue to be faithful and joyful so that you can bear fruit after the snow.