WHEN WINTER KEEPS HANGING ON
As most are aware winter just keeps hanging on this year. As I write this on March 25th the temperature is well below freezing. As I look out the window I see snow piled several feet deep all the way down both sides of the driveway. The yards, fields, and countryside are also totally covered in deep snow. Yes, winter is staying long this year. The groundhog deceived us all!
That stirred something in my heart this morning. It seems spiritual truths often follow what we see happening in the natural realm. Or more accurately, the natural realm is telling us what is happening behind the scenes in the spiritual. Spiritually it also seems that winter stays long. The only answer in both cases is for the sun (or Son) to penetrate the coldness with their warmth. Only warmth can break the icy grip of winter in the natural. In the same way only the warmth of The Holy Spirit's drawing and presence of Jesus Christ can break the icy grip of religion without relationship that tightly holds so many in its grasp.
Religion is that cold dead formula of guilt induced man made methods that says it is attempting to get people to God. It is man made death that is also used by many to control others. It is cold, dead, and God Himself despises it.
Conversely a relationship with Jesus The Christ is a warm, caring, close, interaction with The King of The Universes. It is sitting down and having conversations and moments of intimacy with Christ, The Father, and The Holy Spirit. It is daily having the warmth of being with your beloved every moment of the day. It is walking and talking with them throughout lifes journey as you would the closest and dearest friends you have. The ones who know the worst of you but love, encourage, support, and believe in you just the same!
Yes, sometimes winter stays long. That is true for our natural weather. It is just as true for the cold dead formal religion that is far to often substituted for real relationship.
The encouraging thing that struck me this morning was the inevitable truth. No matter how hard the cold and snow cling they will eventually lose their battle with the heat giving sun. This snow will melt, the ice will go off the lakes, gardens will be planted, and the warmth of the sun will overcome the frigidness of this moment given a little time. The same is true spiritually. When a person living in the cold deadness of religion encounters a true life giving relationship full of the warmth of God religion will melt away. Religion will lose its grip as they embrace the warmth of relationship with Christ.
God is asking some of you to get into the game today.
Proactively go show warmth to those in the cold deadness of "religion". You may be the key that breaks the frost off their heart and helps to turn it fully to God. Winter loses every time a heart experiences the warmth of God's redeeming love! The Son ultimately can melt even the hardest of hearts and turn them to Himself. Why not let Him use you to help do that very thing today?