Snowmageddon has descended upon southern Indiana. I’m not sure how much snow we’ve gotten over the last few days, but I’m willing to argue that there is more snow on the ground at this moment in time than we’ve seen in the previous four-plus years. Everyone who’s held onto that snow blower for the eventuality of a winter storm or purchased one on sale “just in case” is feeling all sorts of vindicated. As a matter of fact, at this very moment I can hear the growling tones of dueling snow blowers coming from all directions outside of my house. It is a veritable “Hallelujah Chorus” of snow relocation. Within this great choir, however, I have heard the occasional interjection of the sour notes of human displeasure. I need not look out my window to know what caused these discordant tones (though, if I’m being honest, I’ve been watching from the start).
at this very moment I can hear the growling tones of dueling snow blowers coming from all directions outside of my house. It is a veritable “Hallelujah Chorus” of snow relocation.
Snow varies in consistency. When snow is a little heavier or wetter, it tends to stick together. It moves where it is sent and stays there. If snow is lighter and dry, it will drift wherever and whenever the lightest breath of wind blows. This lighter snow is what we currently have and has proven less than cooperative. Having cleared some of this same snow yesterday, and having had more than one shovelful blown back at me, I am confident that more than a few unhappy souls are experiencing self-induced faces full of snow today. It’s not exactly the sort of thing that inspires graceful notes.
As I watch the snow blow back and forth, unable to settle into its proper place, I’m reminded of how easily we as humanity are blown back and forth by the winds of culture that swirl around us. It is all-too-easy for us to get distracted and to lose grip on what is true and right and as a result drift away from where we belong. The Apostle Paul warns about being “blown here and there by every wind of teaching and the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.” We live in a world where opinions are often confused for facts and where personal perspectives are elevated to the status of undebatable truths. We are informed and influenced by a cyclone of memes, social media influences, and our preferred media outlets. While these sources have value and aren’t always wrong, they tend to lack the substance that will keep us firmly planted in the truth.
The way to prevent the drift is to establish ourselves through firm connection to the Word incarnate, Jesus Christ. It is through our connection to Jesus that we are able to develop the substance that will sustain us through the storms that swirl and threaten to blow us off course. Further, it is through our connection to Christ that we are able to discern the eternal truths that will produce growth and maturity in our lives and the lives of those around us. This enables us to not only hold fast to the truth for ourselves, but to speak the truth in love to the family and friends around us.
hopefully we will focus our attention on Jesus and the truth of His Word that we might stay where He wants us to be rather than drifting to places we don’t belong.
I love the snow and am more than excited with the truckloads surrounding my house. I am less than pleased, however, with the drift that has accumulated just outside my back door. Now I’m going to have to head outside and clear a path for my pup to get where she needs to go. Hopefully, as the day goes on, the snow will become a little more substantive and will stay where it’s supposed to be. In the same way, hopefully we will focus our attention on Jesus and the truth of His Word that we might stay where He wants us to be rather than drifting to places we don’t belong.
