SNOW FROM HEAVEN

For as the rain cometh down, and
the snow from heaven, and returned
not thither, but watereth the earth,
and maketh it bring forth and bud, that
it may give seed to the sower, and
bread to the eater:
Isaiah 55:10

As I write, over the last several hours, we have been blessed with a beautiful snow. It has been a slow, constant snow. We laugh as we think back to our days in the north when there would be many inches of snow fallen. Men got up in the mornings and shoveled their cars out of their driveways and went to work. Churches didn't close nor many schools. Most stores were open as snow plows got early starts on roads and parking lots. When we moved to Texas, we used to laugh that if about 10 snow flakes fell, there would be an emergency bulletin announcing the canceling of schools, city offices closed as well as many companies. No matter where folks live, they learn to cope with snow be it a blizzard or just gentle falling of snow flakes.

Many years ago, a farmer friend and I were standing by one of his fields where his crops were trying to grow. However, we had been without rain for some time and I mentioned that a good downpour of rain would be beneficial about then. He immediately told me that his crops didn't need a good downpour. He smiled and said if it were all possible in the spring, his crops needed a good snow. He said that a downpour of rain can destroy crops depending on the type of plant. However, snow is soft and it melts gradually in the ground giving crops of any kind a slow, constant watering as long as the snow lasts. Of course, a snow in May wasn't going to happen, but I understood what he was saying about snow.

I know there are Christians who rely on downpours of spiritual input to keep them growing and enthusiastic regarding the things of God. Some may attend spiritual conferences or retreats. Those are wonderful but don't contribute in bringing about consistent spiritual growth. Many experience a spiritual high after a revival or Bible conference at their church, but that deluge of spiritual input pours down on the heart and runs off in short order if one isn't careful. Often a time of dryness occurs because folks think the big emotional times will bring about consistency in spiritual growth. It may for a time but then another big event is expected.

If we could learn to grow spiritually as falling snow...slower than rain. It soaks in and contributes to growth. Spirituality is difficult for many Christians because spiritual growth takes time. It rarely is as beneficial if it comes in surges in and out leaving lapses of spiritual input. When I've been in conversations with others about Bible study methods, I hear almost invariably such statements as: “I'm too busy to spend that much time.” or “I have other things to do that keeps me from reading through Romans.” or “I just can't sit long enough to read for long periods of time.” In every one of those statements, there is a reference to time in someway.

I've been asked by ladies about what it takes to grow as a Christian. My answer isn't the usual. I generally refer to a person being willing to give time to it. If we want to grow physically to stay healthy, that process takes time. It means shopping, cooking and eating. We think nothing of taking that kind of time for taking care of our physical needs.

Snow, when it begins to fall, usually takes it's time. It doesn't come down in large drops like rain. Snow flakes don't even seem to much bump into each other until they land on the earth. Rain can come down in sheets, hits the ground and runs off. Unless it's in blizzard form, snow seems to take it's sweet time. Time is a precious gift from God. We rush through life like a fast falling rain. If we notice, we manage to make or take time for whatever we really want to do.

Daily time spent in God's Word doesn't mean we have to rush through anything. The times God has spoken into my spirit through His Word is when I have pondered just two or three verses and sat afterward taking in their truths...slowly, quietly falling into my spirit as a gentle snow that spiritually will melt and be absorbed in me to bring about growth, direction and blessing.

I'm not saying there's anything wrong with the floodgates God has a way of pouring out on us, but how grateful I am for those soft touches of Himself that comes as gently as a snowflake on the back of my hand. It's those snowflake moments that keep me going, but I thank the Lord for however He chooses to minister in my life. He knows better than me what my needs are and knows how to meet those needs....be it through showers of blessing or snowflakes of teaching in ways I need at any given moment.

Father, may we allow Your words and truths to fall into our lives as a soft falling snow that upon contact can slowly melt and enrich our lives. Thank You too that just as You created every snow flake different from all others, You have done the same with us. As different as we all are, You see us as individuals and work in our lives in very personal ways. Thank You for for the snow that is gentle and beautiful just as You are. In Jesus name...Amen