Coming in from the Cold

I peered through my windshield at the monsoon outside. Cold painted fingers, nose. Assault of wind and rain and cold stood between me and the front door of the oasis of warmth I knew awaited me.

And still, I couldn't bring myself to open the car door and step out into the wind and rain.

I was already cold. The car heater fogs up the windows, impairs visibility...so I hadn't turned it on. The freezing temperature outside, consumed the inside as well.

I filled my lungs with air, held it there, opened the door.

Feet consumed by frigid waters. I walked to the door, swung it open and stepped inside. And wondered why I had taken so long to make the journey.

Warmth immediately consumed me. Glow of fire. People I love gathered around laughing and singing and . . . unphased by the storm raging outside. Each had their own lively story of how they came to be there, warm and unaffected by the storm. Basking in the pleasantness of temperature and dry clothes. We laughed at each others stories as we gathered around the fire.

I looked around and pondered the stark contrast of this beautiful moment with how it felt to be in the cold. Alone and willing to live in the cold to avoid the wind and rain, even if it meant being cold for a longer amount of time.

It reminded me of coming to God. How good it feels to bask in His warmth and light. And how long I spent willing to live in the cold.

God's love feels like being in a warm oasis when there's a blizzard outside. Coming to Him feels like walking in from a storm, to fire, friends, warm blanket, bowl of soup. Living in his will is the utter contentment of sitting in front of a fire, utterly untouched by the cold and wind and rain billowing outside. The cold and wind and rain still rage, but there is really nothing they can do to touch me. Their power is gone.

When I come to God, the storms don't stop. The difference is, they lose their power over me. The worst they can do to me isn't comparable to the good God does for me.

Nothing can separate me from the love of God. Not death, nor life. Not angels or demons. Not the present or future. Nothing in all of creation.

Being in God's warmth and light is an amazing place to be.

Are you there? Or are you negotiating a life in the cold?