Deep snow can be a reminder of the depth of God’s love

Deep thoughts and deep snow go well together.

Don’t get me wrong, folks. I’m sick and tired of shoveling roofs, driveways and sidewalks.

But hours spent laboring go by a little quicker when we turn our minds to the God who is sending us all this snow.

At our rural home, the four-foot fence that separates people from livestock stopped fulfilling its purpose a long time ago.

The snow is so deep you can just barely see the fencepost tops. Our goats, Harriet and Theodore, simply step over the fence and tromp to the sliding glass door, puzzling over why they can’t be inside with the rest of the family.

Such deep snow reminds me of the deep love of God. The Scriptures tell us that “… God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 – NIV)

God has proved his love for us by sending Jesus to die in our place on Calvary’s cross. Out of his deep love alone, God extends a gracious offer we could never deserve: Place our trust in him and the sins that condemn us in his presence are immediately and forever forgiven.

Yes, we have times when we feel as if God is frowning upon us. We don’t feel loved by him because we look at our circumstances and get discouraged. I know I do.

But the Bible reminds us that God’s children are never outside his love: “… I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love … not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love … indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39 – NLT)

Let that truth come to mind when you’re dealing with the deep snows of life. Deeper still is the love of God for you.

Last week, I fell off my roof a few times.

I’m deathly afraid of heights, you see, so the sensation of falling was sheer terror. Never mind that I fell six inches from the eaves onto the snow piled up below.

I fell because I couldn’t get my footing while hoisting heavy chunks of snow and ice.

That weight reminds me of the heavy burdens that drain us of energy, rob us of joy and conspire to derail us.

Spiritually speaking, we may struggle with the heavy burden of trying to please God, working hard for his favor. No such effort is needed, or helpful.

Jesus tells us: “Come unto Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:28-29 – NKJV)

What an amazing promise. As we place our faith in Christ, all striving for God’s favor ends. In fact, we could never earn God’s favor anyway – his righteous standards are higher than we ever could attain.

This spiritual rest is eternal, and also intensely practical in day-to-day living. In fact, God challenges us to cast all of our worldly cares upon him, because he cares about us.

He’s obligated himself to provide strength, courage, endurance, hope – everything we need as we encounter life’s heaviest loads.

Let the snow remind us that in life’s greatest burdens, it is our loving God who does the heavy lifting.

Visitors to our house often drive right past it. The snow is so brilliant that our eyes cannot really distinguish where the driveway is; everything is covered in whiteness.

Praise God for his promise to cover us with the whiteness of his holiness: “Come now, let’s settle this,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow.” (Isaiah 1:18 – NLT)

No, it’s no fun reaching for that shovel. But let the depth, weight and brilliance of this winter’s snow remind us of the love, strength and grace of our God.

Spring is just around the corner. For now, let it snow.