Storm & the Stillness

Winter storms have a way of speaking to our soul. When it ices up and the snow begins to fall, blanketing everything around us, there’s a bit of a hush—a pause. Life slows down. Plans are canceled, roads are closed, and we find ourselves confined to our homes. It can feel inconvenient, even frustrating. Or, maybe… it’s something you’ve been looking forward to.  Fireplaces are kind of nice during a time like this. 

Being snowed in can feel like an enforced stillness—a disruption to our busy lives. But in that stillness, God has an opportunity to speak.  If we are willing to listen.  All of the noise and distraction, is quieted. And in that quiet, we have a chance to lean into this verse:  “Be still, and know that I am God.” — Psalm 46:10

It can be difficult for us to pause and to be still.  When we are snowed in, we’re given the gift of time—time to slow down, to reflect, to be with our families, and most importantly, to be with God. We often say we’re too busy to pray, too distracted to sit in silence with the Lord. But now, the snow has cleared our schedules and removed our excuses. Let the stillness become a sanctuary, where you can meet Christ for a special moment in time.

Let us not waste this time. Yes, it is a time that we can enjoy some solitude and/or time with our family.  But we can also use the quiet of being snowed in as an opportunity to draw closer to Jesus. Perhaps it’s opening our Bibles again, spending extra time in prayer, or simply sitting quietly and acknowledging God’s presence in our lives.

So, this winter storm may be more of an opportunity than an interruption—see it as an invitation. An invitation to be still, to listen, and to let the warmth of Christ wrap you up in his Love.

In the stillness, in the quiet, in the simplicity of being snowed in—Christ is there.

May God Richly Bless you in this New Year!

Larry