This devotional was written by Cherie Hurt. You can read more from Cherie on her blog, Waiting on Wildflowers.
When you are born and raised in a snow barren place, the sight of it sends a thrill through your soul. If you’re anything like me, then last month’s ‘mini snow day’ was the best kind of Saturday alarm. Like a child, I quickly ran through the house searching for the closest sweater and hat. Once my boots slid over my anxious feet, I was out the door.
And then, all of a sudden, the cold hit my cheeks and I felt the numbness overtake me. Just as soon as I wanted to go out, I wanted to come back in to the warmth of our home. Unexpected bursts of cold always seem to stop us in our tracks, preventing our heavy feet from moving forward.
Earlier in the week, I was catching up on one of my favorite blogs, A Holy Experience by Ann Voskamp. In a post she wrote regarding her son’s illness, she said something that I just can’t seem to shake:
“Never fear the moments you imagine will freeze you: Unexpected blasts of cold can be what draws you nearer to the flame of His love.” – Ann Voskamp, A Holy Experience
I don’t know about you, but often I find myself living in constant fear of the next big, cold blast of air. I stroll around life with a knot in my stomach about ‘what if’ this and ‘what if’ that. Sister, let’s be real. The Lord has already told us that in this life there will be constant ups and downs, but He calls us to flee from the fear that holds us captive in our moments of waiting. God has far exceeded any uphill battle we might find ourselves in. The best part is, these moments of struggle have no power when it comes to our nearness with the Father. Romans 8 says it best:
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. – Romans 8:37-39
When the familiar feeling of cold air creeps into your heart, what warmth are you going to run to? Are you going to run to the flame of God’s great love or are you going to let fear overtake you like an avalanche?
Lord,
I know in this world there will be trouble, but I find such joy in the fact that You bring victory! When cold blasts of air find there way into my life, would You remind my anxious heart of Your great Truth. That You are an almighty God – all-knowing and all-powerful. That nothing can separate me from Your great love. Help me to draw nearer to Your flame in my every moment, not just on days of struggle. Thank You, Father, for the way You love me so well.
Amen
