By Doug Creamer
Finding Forgiveness in Snow
I stayed up late on Friday night waiting for the snow to arrive. I gave up in the wee hours of the morning. I woke up to the light at my window and had to see if it was snowing. The ground was white. I retreated to bed for a couple more hours sleep and then I got up filled with joy as I watched it snow all day. I continued watching it snow into the wee hour of Sunday morning. I measured 14.5 inches at nine o’clock, so I figured we ended up close to 16.
I had a great time all day texting friends and family to see what was happening in different places. The winter wonderland the snow created was breath-taking. I dressed warmly and went out midday and took some beautiful pictures. I also made a snow angel, only to discover it is hard getting up from the ground at my age.
I went out for a few nice walks after the snow. I like to walk out and check the main roads and see how people are getting around. One of the things I noticed is that everybody who drove by waved. Snow gives you the feeling that we are all in this together.
Today as I look out my window, the sun is shining brightly on the snow. So brightly, in fact, that I have to wear sunglasses when I go for a walk. I don’t know if you have noticed before, but the snow actually twinkles various colors as it refracts the sunlight, similar to a rainbow. It is beautiful and it can help us quiet ourselves so we can spend some extra time with the Lord.
Another thing we should think about as we look out at the snow is how pure and clean it makes the landscape. We know that snow helps to clean the atmosphere. Hidden within the snow is the dust and dirt it cleans away. In much the same way, the Bible teaches us that the blood of Christ makes us whiter than snow. Our sin is like the dirt in the atmosphere that separates us from God, but the blood of Jesus washes us clean and makes us reflect the glory of God. We are cleaner, whiter, and brighter than snow.
With this comes the knowledge of our forgiveness. No matter what you have done, the blood of Christ can make you whiter than snow. You can be forgiven and God can even take away the guilt of your sin. He can make you free. He can make you bright and clean. Knowing, living, and walking in God’s love and forgiveness can change our lives forever.
The important thing is that God wants us to share this with our neighbors. There are so many people in this world who are weighed down with sin and the guilt of their failures. God doesn’t want them to live that way. God wants them to know that if they would simply ask, they could be made as white as snow. They could walk free from their past. All their mistakes wiped way by the blood of Jesus. Then they can know the deep love of God.
Snow is God’s reminder that we need to share this great news with our neighbors. Our neighbors could be the people who live around us, our co-workers, the people we know at the businesses we frequent, or even the people we meet while waiting in line at the store. We have a saying in our church: Mission is everywhere. People need to hear the good news of God’s love.
I keep looking out the window, distracted by the snow-covered ground. The sun’s rays sparkle like magic off the snow. Kids, dogs, and bearded old men treasure the wonder and beauty of it all. I keep looking at the snow, finding myself wanting to encourage you to open your heart to God’s perfect love and allow it to cleanse you from anything that would hold you back from Him. Then I want to encourage you to share that love and forgiveness with the people in your life. God wants a relationship with every human being. We can be the conduit through which they can discover how to connect with God. It’s our mission, it’s our purpose. God has forgiven you and made you whiter than snow. His peace and comfort are available to all who will reach out to receive it. His love and faithfulness are everlasting. I encourage you to reflect God’s glory so that the lost can find their way home.
Contact Doug Creamer at PO Box 777, Faith, NC 28041or doug@dougcreamer.com
