Wesley United Methodist Church
We need snow
The calendar has changed to 2010 and around these parts it was certainly a white Christmas and New Year. After spending hours cleaning up snow and having so many holiday plans change the last statement we might make is "we need snow!" But as we enter this New Year let me suggest that snow is exactly what we need. There are many reasons for wanting snow ranging from enjoying skiing and snowmobiling, to not having the deep frost and frozen pipes, to having adequate ground water for the spring. Snow also covers the earth with a beautiful white blanket on the ground and in the trees, making winter one of the prettiest times of the year.
We need snow for all these reasons but I have another reason for needing snow. The Bible uses the image of snow for the cleansing of sin in our lives. Isaiah 1:18 says, "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool." You and I need the Biblical "snow" of forgiveness and cleansing in our lives. The Bible states in Romans 3:23 that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Romans 6:23 tells us the result of sin is death - "For the wages of sin is death." This is speaking of not only physical death but also spiritual death - separation from God for eternity. Christ's death on the cross and resurrection from the grave makes available to us the forgiveness and cleansing we need. Romans 6:23 continues with, "but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." We need the Biblical "snow" of forgiveness not only as we begin a new year but throughout the year. You can't control the snow outside but you can have it snow in your soul. Tell Jesus you are sorry for what you have done that is wrong and you want Jesus to forgive you, cleanse you, and help you to live right. Christ promises to bring about a snowstorm in you that will clean all the dirt you feel and make you a new person.