If you’re living in northern Canada, there is something about walking in the woods after a snowfall that seems truly magical. “Frozen” is a word that seems to capture this image of the magical world of winter very well. I
t is the stillness, the muffled effect of the snow upon every sound, and a seeming kind of “permanence” of the scenery all around. In the sunlight, the image is dazzling; in cloud-cover, it is almost eerie. It’s an image of a world that is…, well, frozen! Frozen in time, frozen in the midst of change, frozen in a way for us to simply reflect and mediate on its beauty!
There is, of course, a scientific reason for this magical experience. It has to do with the tilt of the earth on its axis, its place in its annual rotational journey around the sun, the angle of the sun’s rays of warmth on the earth because of that rotational place, the slight dip in the temperature because of it, the freezing effect upon the humidity, and the falling of snow instead of rain. All of this (and so much more) in itself, is fascinating.
But sooner or later, we’re all compelled to ask why this natural behaviour of our world should exist as it does. It takes a lot of faith to conclude that such a magical result simply happened of its own accord — that conditions came together in such a perfect way over time to effect this kind of outcome! And yet, that is the conclusion to which many in our world have come. For some it is an exercise of true conviction; they are the true atheists of this world. For others, the feeling of this conclusion is more sub-conscious; for them it is a case of practical atheism. But for both, it is a kind of religious reality, a certain faith journey of its own. Perhaps such is their conclusion because the implications of the alternative are just too hard to endure.
There are many others, of course, (with whom I also identify) who are enthralled and amazed at the science of the conditions that have brought about such magic. But they are also impressed with the fact that this beautiful reality couldn’t happen without the intervention (yeah, even the actual origination) of some grand kind of architect and engineer. This idea of some giant designer of this magical moment, the exquisite beauty of each of the four seasons, and the way the world so naturally exists in all of its detail and profundity, is so majestically expressed in the words of various biblical passages. Here are some of them:
- Genesis 1:1 — In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth…
- 2 Chronicles 29:11 — Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours…
- Psalm 8:1 — O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
- Psalm 8:3 — When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man…
- Psalm 19:1 – 3 — The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech, night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard…
- Psalm 95:1-5 — Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our slavation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land….
- Psalm 102:25 — In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands…
- Psalm 147:15-18 — He sends his command to the earth; his word runs swiftly. He spreads the snow like wool and scatters the frost like ashes. He hurls down his hail like pebbles. Who can withstand his icy blast? He sends his word and melts them; he stirs up his breezes, and the waters flow…
- Isiah 40:25-26 — To whom willl you compare me? Or who is my equal? says the Holy One. Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing…
- John 1:1-3 — In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made….
- Romans 1:20 — For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities — his eternal power and divine nature — have been clearly seen being understood from what has been made, so that men are withoug excuse…
- Colossians 1:16, 17 — For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold togeher….
Winter! Frozen! How beaut
iful! What an amazing opportunity we have to see the glory of God in this scintillating season that He has made for our benefit and His great glory! As we enjoy the wonder of this season, may we reflect, not only on nature’s way of bringing it all about, but turn our heart’s attention to the One who planned and formed it from the very beginning. And may these worshipful thoughts lead us to see how much God loves and cares for every part of HIs world, so that all of humanity, those best representing His own personality, might be directed to put their hope and trust in Him.
ed
Great article ! Pastor Ed, I’d like to hear your words explaining whether not our Christian God is the same God as that of the Jews, Muslims, Sikhs, and other single deity religions. Is there any thing in Christianity that allows this similarity with other religions ?.
Thanks, Kent. All religions, including Christianity, have one thing in common — they all have a moralistic element. Since God’s law is written upon every person’s soul (Romans 2:15), all religions seek to answer the question of how a person can satisfy the demands of God’s moral law. But they teach different means to this end.
Christianity is unique in teaching that, as people who have inherited the sin principle from our first parents, it is impossible for anyone to achieve God’s holy standard (Romans 3:23). Our only hope of pleasing God is to receive the gift of His atonement for our sins through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ (Romans 3:21-25). We are able to have a living relationship with God, not by our efforts to please God, but to receive by faith the gift of forgiveness from God through Christ (Romans 5:8).
This difference in how we can experience God’s law in our hearts in a way that satisfies God is reflected in how each of these religions views God. The Christian view of God is similar to the Jewish view concerning the nature of God’s holiness, but Jews don’t have a concept of God as triune in the same way that Christians do. They do not accept the fact that Jesus of Nazareth is God. This is blasphemous to them.
The Muslim view of God as Allah is similar to the Jewish God as being severe, but there is little sense of benevolence and grace in their view of God — at least not in the way that Christians view God. Sikhs are monotheistic but again, the emphasis is on seeking to emulate God’s holiness by rigorous forms of discipline. For more information on the Muslim view of God, I would recommend the writings of Nabeel Qureshi, (One of the best books regarding this is the story of his own journey to faith in Christ called, Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus.)
Hi Ed, it’s good. To hear from my old high school buddy! I enjoy your thinking. You have always stayed with those basic truths, that when accepted and believed, make everything work. As you so well explained in your book, we live in a rapidly changing world, in which it’s easy to loose one’s bearings. Recently I read about the four most important words in scripture which will keep it all in right perspective: “In the beginning GOD”. He is the author of it all, it all belongs to Him, and if we follow the manufacturer’s handbook, it all works. Then one can really enjoy the moment of a “frozen” world. Looking forward to seeing you next summer,
Thanks, Al. Those four words make all the difference. I look forward to connecting with you next summer. Lots to talk about…