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Winter has arrived!
As the recent storm moved in, what started as feather-like flakes floating gently downward gradually shifted to wind-driven sheets of white, completely obscuring our yard and the surrounding woods.
As night's darkness descended, the relentless, howling wind continued to buffet our house and pelt our windows.
Yet, by morning, the storm had lost its fury and seemingly moved on, leaving behind glistening, snow-laden branches and mounded drifts as far as my eye could see.
What a transformation.
As I gazed out the window, I could not help but think in terms like "serene and peaceful" and "pure and unblemished." Everything was so tranquil and undisturbed.
Who can deny winter's beauty?
The unappealing dullness of our frost-damaged yard and lifeless flower beds was no longer visible. It was difficult to even bring the previous day's dull scene to mind.
Our three grandkids had spent the night and were thrilled to see the untouched canvas stretching out before them. I knew it was just a matter of time before our yard would be crisscrossed with boot tracks, snow angels, forts, and other signs of fun and frolic!
In some ways, the weather patterns are reflective of our lives. We have days that seem tranquil and orderly, even peaceful. Then we have stormy days filled with darkness and difficulties.
Debris accumulates. We make bad decisions. We mess up. We have regrets. Things seem dull and damaged. We wish for a fresh start.
Each time a winter storm blankets the unraked leaves, fallen branches, and clutter in my yard with its pristine white, I am reminded of the Prophet Isaiah's words: "'Come now, let us settle the matter,' says the Lord. 'Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool (1:18).'"
What an invitation.
What a promise.
The truth is that, without God, our lives are a mess. We may think we are "alright." We may convince ourselves that we are "cool" with God, all the while living a life totally distanced from Him, never giving our spiritual condition a serious thought.
Yet our true state is visible and known to God.
Even so, He still invites us.
The Prophet Jeremiah said, "This I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness (Lamentations 3:21-23)."
New every morning!
God's compassion covers.
Another word for that is "grace" -- God's unearned, unmerited favor. I've heard it said that grace is the opposite of what people call karma, which is about getting what you deserve. In God's kingdom, grace is getting what you don't deserve and not getting what you do deserve.
His mercy and forgiveness cleanse us.
A fresh start.
The Apostle John explains that Jesus "became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth (1:14)." That is such a beautiful description -- Jesus perfectly revealed the truth of who God is, of how desperately we need Him, and how our sins separate us from Him. God then wrapped that truth in His unmerited favor toward us, fully demonstrated by what Jesus reveals.
We cannot earn this gift.
Mercy, not merit.
How do we receive that blanket of grace? How does it come to us? Does it come gently? Or does it blow in with power?
I believe His grace is both gentle and powerful, for God Himself is gentle and He is all powerful.
He loves us just the way we are, and He loves us too much to leave us the way we are.
James 4:6 reveals that "God opposes the proud but shows favor (or grace) to the humble." Humility acknowledges neediness. If we humbly seek His grace, asking for His favor and forgiveness through Jesus Christ, He promises to be "faithful and just" and to "forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9)."
Grace.
Blanketed in mercy.
Grace.
White as snow.
Grace.
A fresh start.