
I have a hard time with the snow (and yes, while I know this sticker has zero mention of this white, chilly substance, I'm gonna connect them together; I promise).
On one hand, I absolutely adore snow because it is yet another aspect of God's magnificent creation. I mean, what's more beautiful than seeing a blanket of white as far as the eye can see? It's like His puffy, pure, and purifying love is floating down on us, calling us to slow down and bask in His presence.
Although, I hate driving in it. Don't even like walking in it since ice can hide underneath the fluff and cause me to slip. And don't even get me started on shoveling. Or on the people who don't shovel and then I'm ankle-deep in electrifying cold.
Now I think, in some strange way, we can compare the polarizing roles of wintery weather - sweet, fluffy snowflakes vs pounding sleet and harrowing ice - to fear.
As I've been studying Scripture, something that's repeatedly stuck out to me are the many instances where God calls us to fear Him. In this context, fearing means to respect, honor, and revere the One who is so much greater than us. The One who reigns down pure white to remind us how only He can make us white as snow (Is 1:18).
But of course, there's also fear. The dark, icy terror that we slip and slide on, not able to get our footing because we're too busy falling flat on our face. That's the fear that's so dangerous; and more often than not, I find myself in this side of the fear/snow pole, slipping on ice every time I take a step.
Now, I'm sure you're wondering what a good/bad snow/fear dichotomy has to do with this sticker design.
Well, nothing.
Or, I guess I should say, nothing that I intended (I pretty much just write whatever's on my mind for these blogs, to be honest).
However, those mountains that are falling into the sea? They may not be snow-covered, but I'm sure the destruction of something so unyielding is as scary as losing control and sliding on a patch of black ice.
And the ground that's crumbling? What about those snowbanks that you think are solid... but then your foot sinks down and suddenly your sneakers are submerged in cold and your feet are freezing and it feels like ice is seeping deep into your bones?
Perhaps these are different circumstances, but feeling overpowered, out of control, lost in forces much bigger than ourselves? Perhaps that is the common thread.
And perhaps the solution is the same, as well:
Jesus.
Even when the earth crumbles, the winter turns frigid, our minds are frozen in anxiety...
We know we're gonna be okay.
The Perfect Love who drives out terror with His Truth (1 John 4:8).
And the gentle snowflakes that call us to fear and trust Him - the Maker, Lover, Redeemer, and Purifier of our souls - come what may.
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