As I sit today, looking out of this window, observing once again the majestic handiwork of our Amazing God, the wonderful snow that is falling brought to remembrance some promises from God's Word for me. When I consider my own handiwork, and all the mistakes I've made in life, I could find myself battling through fits of depression and worthlessness. After all, left to my own devices, I am, AT BEST, an utter and complete failure. Paul even says in 1 Corintihians 15, that if our hope is only in this life, then we are of all men most miserable. The best that I have to offer is somehow inadequate. The Bible tells us that there is none good but God AND yet we are expected to go on to perfection. If, on my own, I can not even measure up to the standard of "good", how can perfection be expected out of me? Well, here's the hope - wait for it - you aren't expected to do it on your own - HE provides the help.We bring to Him our stained, wretched, refuse of a life and He puts together the perfect recipe to make something beautiful out of it. Have you ever watched someone make a cake? Not one pretty ingredient out of the bunch - flour, eggs, vanilla, milk, cocoa, sugar (ok I'll give you that sugar can be pretty but I think it's only because we filter it through our sweet sensor). Nothing pretty in the bunch. And yet the amazing compilation a master baker can create will simply stupify our minds.
Jesus says "Come to me, all who labor and are heavily burdened down and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me - for my yoke is easy - my burden is light."
God says - "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool."
Maybe you were perfect, never carried a heavy load, never had need of the cleansing power of God. But I have and I did. There's something amazing about the presence of God that allows us to go from scarlet to snow. Our ability to be made white as snow comes from his willingness at Calvary to be made red like crimson. Oh the blood of Jesus - Oh the blood of Jesus - Oh the blood of Jesus - that washes white as snow. If you've never needed redemption, then you may not understand but for those who've lived imperfect lives -- you know -- there's nothing like turning it all over to Jesus and allowing the master to make something beautiful out of it.
And so when I see the snow, as I do right now, it serves as a reminder - that though I once was stained so deep, His blood has washed me clean and when He sees me, He sees what I see out my front window a blanket of white, where sins stains once were. So --- I guess I need the reminder this morning - and maybe you do too - so I say "LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW!"
There's a song I love that's out right now, by a group called Pocket Full of Rocks (if you can believe that) that says "You can come as you are - with all your broken pieces - all your shameful scars - the pain you hold in your heart - Give it all to Jesus - for you can come as you are. . ." If you are looking for redemption, if you are looking for peace of mind - you can come just like you are and find a Savior whose arms are open wide waiting to heal your brokenness and to give you a clean slate.
After all - that's why He came - why He was born - why He died - why He rose again - He knew that our best efforts weren't good enough ............... but His best effort was!
God bless you all - love all of you - just in case I don't write again before then - MERRY CHRISTMAS! Celebrate the JOY of knowing HIM this season and all year through! ---- RP
