“And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit” – 2 Corinthians 3:18 NIV

There is something beautiful about a winter snowfall and deep freeze until the resulting layers of snow and ice become a disruption.  

In January, I had approximately 45 cm. (18 in.) over the course of a week. First snow and then freezing rain which quickly turned to ice and then finally more snow.  

Outside my flat, there was barely any place to walk. The snow had left layers on everything.  

The only way to find the pavement underneath was to first shovel the top layer of snow and then take a metal shovel and pound on the thick ice until it broke away from the rest.  

Pounding with a metal shovel, I watched large chunks of ice detach and slide in the opposite direction. I found this extremely therapeutic and satisfying.  

In that process, I felt the Lord highlighting my tendency to attempt ice sculpting my life. 

When I recognize an area of my heart that’s a work in progress, I start pounding and chiseling away in an attempt to detach it. 

Yet, the Lord pointed out that sometimes those areas don’t need to be pounded on and detached immediately. Sometimes they are the result of past traumas that are still healing, or they may be areas where I’ve resisted allowing His deep love to seep down into every layer. 

His tools for transformation aren’t the same as mine (Isaiah 55:8). He has a way, timing and pace that is beautiful and perfect for me. 

Sometimes I struggle with spiritual winter. I want to quickly scrape away those layers and get to spring. However, God wants those areas to be an invitation to come to Him, to sit with Him, to wait, and follow His lead 

Looking at all the snow, a portion from The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis came to mind as Edmund watched the snow begin to melt. His heart was in process as well:  

“He stepped out into the snow — but it was really only slush by now . . . And now the snow was really melting in earnest and patches of green grass were beginning to appear in every direction. Unless you have looked at a world of snow as long as Edmund had been looking at it, you will hardly be able to imagine what a relief those green patches were after the endless white” (Chapter 11, “Aslan Is Nearer”).  

Reflect:

“Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him” – Psalm 62:5 NLT

When you notice places in your heart that aren’t where you desire them to be, what happens next? How do you respond?  

What is one area the Lord is highlighting for you today, that He desires to be the start of a conversation and invitation to come and be with Him in that tension?  

Set an alarm/timer for two minutes and sit with the Lord in that area He is highlighting and see what happens next.