I'm sitting at my desk in a warm house while outside a snowstorm is raging. It is the second big storm within the past week. It isn't the norm for this region, so life for most people has ground to a sudden halt. We are stuck in our houses, or neighborhoods with interrupted schedules and unexpected time to rest, relax, reflect and maybe get caught up on a few things. Those who live with a family have the opportunity to share some time alone, perhaps making memories or just enjoying each others' company.
Andrew Murray once wrote..."take time to be separate from all friends and all duties, all cares and all joys; time to be still and quiet before God. Take time not only to secure stillness from man and the world, but from self and its energy... " For most of us, it is extremely difficult to find time to be away from all of the hustle and bustle of life and be still before the Lord. On a snow day, the hustle and bustle is gone. There is time! The snow itself reminds me of the pure and lovely holiness of our God. It reminds me of what my Savior did for me when He died on the cross. My sins are washed away! They are as white as snow! By faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, I have been made clean! My heart is filled with awe for the Creator of the snow. Snow days offer the opportunity to spend a bit of time alone with Him in worship and praise and adoration.
Words of a well known hymn written by William Longstaff in 1887....
Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy Lord;
abide with Him always, and feed on His Word.
Make friends of God's children; help those who are weak;
forgetting in nothing his blessing to seek.
Take time to be holy, the world rushes on;
spend much time in secret with Jesus alone.
By looking to Jesus, like Him thou shalt be;
thy friends in thy conduct his likeness shall see.
Take time to be holy, let him be thy guide,
and run not before Him, whatever betide;
in joy or in sorrow, still follow thy Lord,
and, looking to Jesus, still trust in His Word.
Take time to be holy,be calm in thy soul;
each thought and each motive beneath his control;
thus led by His Spirit to fountains of love,
thou soon shalt be fitted for service above.
Not everyone enjoys the snow! But, God is in control and He allows the storms to come when they do. So, life does grind to a halt. We can make the most of it.... or we can complain. Using the time to reflect on God and His Word is sure to bring blessings and peace.
May you be blessed where ever you are-
~Ruth
