Lent day 17 - white as snow

When I stepped outside yesterday morning I was somewhat surprised to find that at least an inch of snow had fallen overnight.  Somehow, when I looked out of the window it didn't look as though it was more than a very light covering.  But our back yard was foot-sinkingly, satisfyingly crunchily deep.  Doesn't snow just make the best sound which you stand in it??   The words that came to mind as I looked out over our normally tarmac- black but now utterly pristine white yard were these

Two things strike me about this.  Firstly snow isn't just white - it is dazzling, perfect and it covers everything with a blanket of unblemished pristine newness.   So many pictures from everyone these past few days show their streets and gardens being covered in a white blanket.   Snow is the sort of white that can blind you.  It is quite probably the cleanest, whitest thing in nature.   God is being very deliberate in what He says.  He can cover something as red as blood so that it is no longer seen but is so clean you have to shade your eyes to view it.  It is a perfect picture of how He deals with our sin.  Brilliant.  Literally !

The second thing is the promise/warning in the last part of the verse.   It would appear that we only get to be white as snow if we are both willing and obedient.

The obedient part is tricky enough.  But Im suppposing we all know what that looks like.  It's the WILLING thing that makes me squirm just a little.   I can do obedience - I'd like to think I do it as much as I can.  But sometimes, to be honest, the obedience is through gritted teeth.  Sometimes the

obedience is because, logically I know that really I dont have an option.  Im smart enough to realise the cost of disobedience.  I know that if I want to be close to Jesus and follow His plan for my life and have peace in my spirit and soul then obedience is the way to go.  It's a shrug of the shoulders, shuffling of the feet sort of obedience.  An adolescent roll of the eyes and slam of the door sort of obedience sometimes.  Not terribly willing.  Not rushing to do the will of the Father because that is my delight and His.  Not embracing His word, direction, instruction with a smile and a laugh and a rolling up of the sleeves.

Obedience isnt enough.  Grudging obedience is like the eldest son at the prodigal homecoming party.  Willing obedience is the centurion with the dying servant or the woman with the issue of blood.  Willing obedience is, in itself, a rich banquet.  A feast.  Im pretty sure that's true.  Need to start doing a bit more embracing and a bit less complaining methinks  😊