One of my favorite independent weather reporters on social media gauges the weather warnings by how many gallons of milk the average midwesterner will grab at the store before the big storm. The storm that rolled over the heartland late last month was a “3 gallon freakout” which means the grocery store parking lots were filled with nervous Missourians and carts were filled with bulk toilet paper and gallons of milk.
I didn’t have to freak out because I love snow, but we are also prepared. Our cars were fueled and our fridge had food. It’s a bonus that I love snow. I’ve looked forward to it all that day.
The forecast called for snow beginning at 9 am, so I planned to work in my office where I have big windows looking out into our front yard. As the forecast changed and the snow was put off hour by hour throughout the day, my plans changed. Eventually, the snow started, and I set up camp in my office to work and watch it fall.
I did watch it fall and it was as wonderful as I hoped, yet for as much attention as I paid to the snow, I also couldn’t help noticing the vehicles traveling the road as they became covered in white. In a frenzy, they seemed to hurry down the unsafe roads.
Also in my view was my son who’d grabbed a camp chair and thermos of hot cocoa to wait for the snowstorm. He sat, happily waiting in the frigid air for the much-awaited snowfall.
The whole scene made me acutely aware of another coming I’ve been waiting for–the coming of Jesus.
As signs of Jesus’ coming occur on earth, some people will scramble around, making last minute preparations, some will become paralyzed by fear and hide, and others will pull up a chair and wait with outstretched arms.
There is a lot of fear now. In our country and the world, there is quite a bit of fear surrounding politics, climate change, economic collapse, the threat of war, and more. Humankind is afraid of annihilation. We’re both afraid of dying and of the very remedy for death. Can we love snow and enjoy snow, but also be afraid of winter weather?
I think personally the remedy of fear is preparation–but not the kind of preparation you see before a storm. My family didn’t run to the store for groceries and gas so now we’re prepared. It’s that we didn’t have to run to the store because we were already prepared. Like the virgins who didn’t need to run and refill the oil for their lamps (Matthew 25), some people are prepared as a lifestyle–not a panic.
When we’re prepared for the future, we can enjoy it.
When we’re prepared for the future, other people can rest in the assurance of our care and also enjoy it.
When we’re prepared for the future, we do not need to panic.
“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.”
John 14: 1-3, ESV
Father in Heaven,
I pray for the person on the other side of the screen right now–a person who may be afraid, uncertain, and filled with mental strife affecting their physical body. Lord, I know You don’t want that for them, or me. You want us to be fulfilled, confident, and at peace. Help us to be like a little child waiting for snowfall as we wait for You. We do not want to be fearful of Your coming, but looking up with hands uplifted! Help us to find the balance of preparation and eagerness. Help us, Lord, share Your good news with others without striking fear into hearts already afraid. We know we can do this with the help of Your Holy Spirit. Lord, we pray because we believe in the promise of Your Word and the love and sacrifice of Your living Son, Jesus.
In His name, we pray, Amen.
