Our Walk With Christ

I just spent some time in a snowy place, 10,000 feet above sea level and 2,000 miles from my home break. Within three days, I went from surfing and fishing in board shorts to layered up in warm clothing. Brrrr!!! 

Don’t get me wrong, I like seeing and playing in snow, and I’ve lived in places where snow came down and piled up regularly. It’s just that given the choice between the two, I would gladly choose warmer weather.

As the snow covered the landscape with whiteness, it became absolutely beautiful. The walk through the woods was breathtaking. Sound seemed muffled. Time felt as if it was on pause. The setting was picturesque; although I would have rather been surfing somewhere tropical, I needed this change of scenery.

Snow came down the entire time I was there. My mind went to the passage in Isaiah 1:18, where it says, “Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.” 

What a gracious invitation to God’s people, Israel. He wanted them to consider their stubborn and rebellious hearts and to think through how their relationship with Him was off track. God graciously invited them to acknowledge their sin and receive His cleansing forgiveness. This passage is beautiful. (Read Isaiah 1 for context)

He still offers this invitation of cleansing and restoration to Israel. And because of Jesus’ life, death, burial, and resurrection, He extends it to the world! 

God has invited you and me to receive this forgiveness personally. First, we can trust him as Savior. Secondly, we are invited to share the good news of Jesus with all we meet. Why? So that others can also have the peace, hope, and joy of a fresh, restored relationship with the creator of the universe. 

My time in the snow was a great reminder of God’s grace and kindness to sinners – especially me. I write this from a flight to warmer weather and some needed time in the ocean! How can you “reason” with the Lord and turn from sin and receive the cleansing you so desperately need and He graciously offers? 1 John 1:8-9 is a great passage to start with. 

Take a moment also to read Psalm 148, as well, and enjoy verses 7-8. 

Picture by: Zach Stone