SNOW… IN FLORIDA?

“You set the boundaries of the earth, and you made both summer and winter.” – Psalm 74:17

You thought it would never happen. You woke up as you usually do, your mind running through all your tasks and appointments for the day. You start a pot of coffee, walk over to the window to pull open the blinds, and there it is—lots of snow and cold winds. Your outside thermometer says 21 degrees. To a Floridian, it is: Gloomy. Dark. Frigid. Bone-chilling. Frosty. Bitter. Cold. You live in Florida. You aren’t supposed to be shoveling sidewalks and scraping car windows, dealing with runny noses and rescheduling appointments, trying to find some heavier clothing, and wishing you had a four-wheel drive vehicle even though you never needed it before.

But according to the verse in Psalm 74, God made the summer and winter. It wasn’t a mistake. It’s not like God ran out of heat and made up another season at the last minute. No. He created winter for a purpose. The second part of the verse, “you made both summer and winter.” acknowledges God’s role as the creator and governor of the seasons. The changing of the seasons, from the warmth and growth of summer to the cold and dormancy of winter, is attributed to God’s design and purpose. This speaks to the world’s natural order and emphasizes God’s ultimate power over the cycles of nature.

Snow has a way of shutting things down in our area and bringing things to an abrupt halt, canceling all your plans and rearranging your schedule. It could be God’s way of giving us an extra Sabbath—a forced rest from the daily grind, busy schedules, and constant deadlines.

The stillness of winter can be a reminder to pause and reflect on how God’s hand has been leading us, providing for us, and shaping our lives. Our busy lives often prevent us from taking the time to slow down and listen to God. We may fit in a quick devotional reading in the morning or a quick prayer before bedtime, but our minds usually bounce around to the next thing we need to do. When life slows down, and we’re limited to outside activities, it’s only natural to have more time to be still.

Days like this, when everything is closed, and our to-do list is paused, are an opportunity to spend quality time with God. Unforeseen days like this week are certainly an inconvenience, but being stuck at home is a wonderful reminder of the good slowing down does for our minds, our bodies, and our relationship with God. Instead of being bored or wishing the time away, we can use these rare days to seek God more intently and purposefully. What does he want to do in me? What does he want to do through me? What areas of my life need some renovation?

Whether there is snow or sand outside your window today, may you also be challenged to be still, know that He is God, and find rest in Him alone. Put down your agenda, to-do list, and expectations for the day, and be still.

Discussion Questions:

1. How can we use these unusual snow days to reconnect to God?