As the days get shorter and the nights get cooler, God is warning us through the weather of winter’s approach. Even though we are still enjoying warmer than average fall days, it won’t be long until our furnaces will be cranking up and blowing heat throughout our homes. For those with woodstoves, now is the time to stock up those woodpiles!
Although our family no longer owns it, the hunting cabin we used to enjoy also required a bit of preparation for winter. Because it wasn’t built to any code when it was originally constructed back in the day, the oak rafters spanned more space than they should have and if too much snow collected on the roof above, they would develop a bit of sag. To prevent such sags and even potential collapses, my brothers would install two sturdy roof supports about this time of year.
Even though there was usually no snow in the immediate forecast when they put these supports up, the cabin’s remote location made it difficult, if not impossible, to reach once several inches were on the ground. Although some years passed when little or no snow fell, we still took preventative steps beforehand just in case it decided to pile up. We could sleep easy knowing all was ready on the mountain.
The importance of preparing before winter arrives is a good reminder for us to make spiritual preparations as well. Although none of us want to experience pain, sickness, tragedy, or grief, into every life a bit of rain, or snow, must fall. The question is not “if” such things will come, but when. Because of this, we are wise to put some sturdy supports up in our souls to withstand the additional anticipated load.
We do this by developing a close personal relationship with our Savior. Coming to know Jesus before troubles occur better equips us to deal with them when they do. Because we’ve learned to pray and trust Him through the smaller storms of life, we’re able to depend on Him when the blizzards strike without a forecaster’s warning.
As we grow in our relationship with Jesus, He shares wisdom and insight as to how to face issues that arise. Knowing how much He loves us helps to weather the snow squalls that come our way. In addition, understanding that somehow or the other, God is able to work all things together for our good and His glory helps to make our hard times more bearable and enables us to take a longer view. We gain His perspective not only through our prayers but also through time spent reading, studying, and listening to His Word. As we meditate on His great and precious promises, we realize He is with us during all of life and will see us safely through each snowstorm.
Failing to develop such a relationship and worldview ahead of time can result not only in the sagging of our soul’s rafters, but possibly even in their collapse. Life can be hard enough even with Jesus. But if we have not installed His internal spiritual support, the unexpected pile-up of devastating life events can cause much serious damage.
The Bible tells us in Proverbs 6 to learn from the lowly ants who store away food during the summer so that they will be ready for wintertime. If they are wise enough with their tiny little brains to make such sensible preparations, how much more should we prepare for life’s inevitabilities as well.
The most important support to put in place is to trust Jesus as your Savior and Lord so that you can have the benefit of His strength not only during life’s fiercest blizzards, but ultimately for the eternity that follows. If you have not prepared for the eventual certainty of death, ask God to save you through His Son that you might be ready for both life as well as for death. Blessings, George