I know here in Minnesota most of us complain when the snow comes and fills our driveways and roads with its beautiful, fluffy whiteness, slippery self, while also creating dangerous driving conditions. Unfortunately, we only focus on the danger side and the inconvenience the snow brings to our lives. Today I want to challenge you to focus instead on the beautiful and refreshing hope that the rain and the snow bring to us. Besides, snow is simply a beautiful manifestation of nature.
Without water from heaven, our nature would die and we would eventually perish too. The Scripture that comes to mind for today is Isaiah 55:8-12:
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.
"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 lead forth in 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.”
I encourage you to change your perspective. Every time it snows going forward, don’t think of the inconveniences or dangers that come with it. Of course, you have to be careful and take necessary precautions, just don’t make that your focus. Instead, focus on God’s Word. Imagine all the people that are hearing the Word of God for the very first time. Pray that those seeds get planted in their hearts and that others will come along and water the seed so it produces fruit. God’s Word promises us that His Word will NOT return to Him empty and that it will produce fruit in the lives of the people who will listen to it.
So if you’re wondering, how do I “plant” a seed into someone’s heart? You do that by sharing the Word of God with someone. How do others “water” that seed? Every time we share the Gospel with someone, pray that God sends another person to also share about Him so the enemy doesn’t steal and destroy that little seed. That’s why it’s important for us to encourage new believers to get connected to a church so they can continue to listen to God’s Word.
My prayer today for you is that you find opportunities to plant the seed—share the Word of God with someone. If you are the one who is a new believer, then my prayer for you is that God will send people to you to remind you of what you learned, of His love for you, and to help you grow in Christ.
Next time it snows, think of snow as "A Little Reminder from Heaven."
Merry Christmas!