I am excited by all kinds of weather, but snow is my favorite. One of the reasons I love it so much here in the South is that normally we get to enjoy watching it fall and then in a couple of days it disappears and life returns to normal. This year the snow has been hanging around.
Last week was quite a treat. It snowed on Monday but it didn’t stick. Tuesday it snowed south of here. Then the big snow came on Wednesday, followed by yet another big snow on Thursday. Thursday’s snow was my favorite because it was the big, fluffy flakes that make great snowballs and snowmen. I didn’t much care of the sleet and ice we got on Wednesday night, but it sure was an exciting weather week.
Thursday was a fun day in the snow for me. I enjoy going for a walk when it is snowing. The snow makes our world so quiet and peaceful. After a nice walk, I warmed up inside before going back out to play in the snow. I built a snowman, made a snow angel, and went sledding. My beard may be white, showing my age, but I am still a kid at heart. I have a picture of me riding my sled sitting on my desk.
I know snow causes lots of headaches and I truly felt bad for all the people who were stuck in the snow. One of my neighbors got stuck in our community. Snow can bring out the Good Samaritan in people as several neighbors came out to try and help the young lady who was stuck. There were many stories of people reaching out to strangers, lending a helping hand. So snow can bring out the kid and the best in people.
In Isaiah we are reminded that rain and snow come from heaven and do not return to it without accomplishing their purpose. This is to remind us that God’s word comes to us and will not return to heaven without accomplishing its purpose. It is sent to us to encourage us, to strengthen us, and to help us live out our faith. God’s word is gentle and beautiful, just like snow.
Each one of us struggles with sin, and whether we like it or not sin stains our lives. But if we will repent, God will forgive us and wash us so we will be whiter than snow. God’s forgiveness makes us clean, we are set free from the snare of sin.
It is beautiful to watch snow fall and collect on tree limbs and on the landscape. Snow changes the way things appear just like God’s forgiveness changes the way we appear; clean, forgiven, whiter than snow.
My pastor shared a little nugget of gold with the congregation on Sunday. He told us that we were not sinners because a sinner’s job was to commit sin. I realized as I listened to him teach, that I have to stop calling myself a sinner. We have been set free from a sinners’ lifestyle and we are now saints. The job of saints is to share God’s love, forgiveness, and hope with the world around us. As a saint, I will still sin, but if I repent then I will be washed whiter than snow.
I believe that we get overly focused on our struggle with sin. I believe the enemy wants us to think of ourselves as sinners, incapable of being anything else. But God has provided a way to deal with our sin so we can see ourselves as sons and daughters of God. If we focus on who we are in God’s eyes than we can become more useful in bringing God’s kingdom to earth. We can see ourselves accomplishing God’s purposes, fulfilling our destiny, and having a positive impact on the world around us. We can be the essence of God to a world that needs his love, forgiveness, and hope.
I want to encourage you to look in the mirror tonight and tell yourself that you are a son or a daughter of God. Remind yourself that God loves you so much that he died on a cross for you. You are forgiven, whiter than snow. Next, I want you to share that good news with someone who is discouraged by life. God can and will use you to share His message of love and hope with others if you can see yourself as His ambassador. Know that you are forgiven and share God’s love with those who think they are lost sinners.

Doug Creamer teaches Marketing at East Davidson High School. His website is located at www.dougcreamer.com Contact him at PO Box 777, Faith, NC 28041 or email doug@dougcreamer.com