Bathed in the Love and Warmth of God

As winter sets in, I am reminded that cold can be either physical or emotional; we can be cold in our bodies or in our hearts. I live in a university flat in Dunedin which is inevitably cold and damp. During winter, many here suffer what is colloquially termed ‘seasonal depression’ due to the lack of sunshine and blue skies. Reading this verse reminds me not to let the coming winter cold leave a dampener on my faith. Yes, it may be cold but we must not let our love grow cold towards others and Jesus.

Attending Sunday morning church services increasingly becomes harder as getting out from under the warm cover feels an onerous task. Other ‘lawless’ activities seem more interesting or easier than dwelling in God’s presence. I find Job a notable example to help motivate me not to let my faith grow cold. Satan tested Job in numerous and awful ways. Yet Job’s heart never hardened toward God. His perseverance was so incredibly amazing it puts me to shame.

This does not dishearten me but rather makes me feel encouraged that if Job can endure losing everything and still turn to God, cold weather and other temptations placed in front of me cannot stop me from praising God and living a life sharing the light of God. As the saying goes, “When the going gets tough (or cold), the tough keep going”. God has equipped us all, through the help of the Holy Spirit, with courage and perseverance. Through every challenge we face, we still have a God that is welcoming and warm to us.

God may not provide physical warmth, (although that would be nice because I am already over being freezing in my flat), but provides spiritual warmth. A warming of the soul that provides happiness and fulfilment is far better than the summer rays. May you be encouraged that even during cold mornings when you are defrosting your car windscreen or feeling cold, remember God never turns cold on us. God offers endless welcoming warmth and love.