“As long as the earth endures, seed time and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease.” Genesis 8:22 (NIV)
Growing up and living in the south, I am – on occasion – treated to a ‘snow day’. These impromptu holidays are not brought on by your typical blinding snow storm or excessive accumulation of the white stuff. No, usually a southern snow day is due to freezing rain or a light dusting of snow which paralyzes our city.
When this happens or there is even a chance of this happening, we stay glued to the television, entranced by each weather update given by a newscaster or reporter relentlessly tracking a snowflake or identifying an icy patch on a roadway. I am sure this is quite humorous to those who live farther north and those in locations where knee high snow drifts are an ordinary part of the landscape.
Yes, sometimes the sunny south does experience the threat of ‘snow’ which causes us to stock up on milk and bread, close our schools and businesses, and huddle around the fire. For whatever reason, we become paralyzed by the idea … even without the visible signs of any wintery precipitation.
It just gets bone-chilling cold and we are frozen.
I understand some of you may live in the bitter cold and the backdrop of your life is filled with snow-covered rooftops so all of this sounds ridiculous. In reality, in this region, we are just not equipped to handle the conditions which are extreme compared to our typical weather. Although, we have made advances over the years to be better prepared in the winter months, our towns still cannot function in the midst of below freezing temperatures and harsh elements.
We remain frozen.
How much does this scenario relate to your spiritual life? Do you sometimes find yourself frozen in worship? Do you approach Sunday morning services as if you will be snowed in, packing your purse or pockets with provisions to get you through? Do you sit frozen on your seat, stiff and unable to move?
Are you stuck on the side of the road in your journey with Christ? Spinning your wheels, unable to get back on track? Is your spiritual growth at a stand-still?
Are you spiritually frozen?
This can be caused by extreme eternal factors that are beyond our control or for no visible reason at all.
We experience ‘seasons’ physically and spiritually. If we don’t make an effort to keep moving and continue growing during wintery times, we become frozen.
If that is where you are today, then it is time to thaw out, to become active again. The same man that healed the sick, made the blind to see, and caused the lame to walk can help you too.
Let Him thaw out your life and get you moving again.
Don’t stay frozen. Warm up your spiritual life and cozy up to Christ.
“See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone.” Song of Solomon 2:11 (NIV)