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I never did like snow very much. Please don't ask how we ended up in Canada, of all places, because when everyone is all excited to see the first flakes of snow, I'm the one who is grumpy.
Why?
Because the "first" flakes aren't the last, and those last ones sometimes fall as late in the season as April! Meanwhile, the roads are a mess, driving is more dangerous than usual, and all of that "pretty" white stuff has to be shoveled off my driveway one way or another!
No, others may like the snow, but me, I'm not a fan! I never did understand the Christmas carol, "I'm dreaming of a white Christmas". No, as far as I'm concerned, that song can be forever changed to, "I'm dreaming of a green Christmas!" And not just Christmas! But a green fall, a green thanksgiving, a green Boxing Day, a green New Years, a green winter, a green spring... Well I think you get the idea!
Of course, this year I don't have to worry about snow at all. I'm safe and warm in the nursing home that is caring for me. The temperature never gets out of the comfort zone, and all the cold and slippery white stuff stays outside where I don't have to deal with it!
My wife, on the other hand, still has to manage the driveway and sidewalk, only this year it's all by herself. And since she is still recovering from a broken arm, snow management isn't easy for her. She said something the other day about getting someone to manage the snow for her. I think that's an excellent idea. Better yet, just transport us all to a climate where it never snows!
We got our first snow of the season a days ago, and I have to admit that from my perspective, safe and warm in my home, it sort of does look a little bit pretty. With all the colourful leaves now lying brown on the ground, things had been looking a bit drab, and the snow really does brighten things up a bit ...
We have all heard so many sermons preached on how Jesus has promised to take our sin and make us white as snow: “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool." (Isaiah 1:18 NIV). I don't know about you, but I tend to think of these as "seeker" sermons ... meant to draw people to Jesus ... rather than sermons for people who have already given their hearts to Christ.
As I looked out at all that white snow on the ground, however, this verse suddenly comes alive to me: “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool." Though I've walked with the Lord for many years now, I realize that I must never start to take Jesus' gift for granted. I must never stop remembering where I came from. The moment I stop remembering what the Lord has done for me, how He drew me out of the darkness, took my sin upon Himself and made me as white as snow, that is the moment I will begin to take His gift for granted. Interestingly, that is also the moment when I forget how intensely He loves us, and it is often followed by a slip in my faith.
No matter where you are with your walk with Christ ... Whether a seeker, a new believer, or someone who has walked with the Lord for a long period of time, let the fresh snow be a reminder to you of where you came from. Let it bring to you a complete new appreciation for the gift of Salvation. Let it remind you that you don't deserve any of this. It is all a gift, one that we should never stop appreciating!
As Christmas approaches, as we see the nativity scenes with the baby in the manger, let's all remember and appreciate anew the magnitude of Jesus' gift of Salvation to mankind! "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool." (Isaiah 1:18 NIV)
Oh, and if the snow flakes do start to fall, "Let it snow!"
Inspired by Rob Chaffart
Founder, Answers2Prayer Ministries
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