Though almost all the snow has melted in the sunshine this past week, our road has been a different story.

The ice still clings to the gravel that winds through the clearing in the woods as you travel back to our house, and until just a few days ago, snow remained packed down, determined to stay.

Snow sticks around in the shade.

The same can be true of our hearts.

The snow falls around us, and to protect ourselves, we choose to hibernate, to hide from the coldness of this world. The disappointments, frustrations, failures and rejections pile up around us, and the frost bites until we become numb to God’s goodness and sweet grace. We can’t feel our hands in His because the flame of our passion for Christ has grown dim. And when the storm has passed and God’s sunshine beams down, we cling to the shade. Our eyes have grown too accustomed to the grays, and when His light pierces our hearts, we resist to awaken and drink it in.

So, the snow sticks, slowly, slowly melting and then freezing as night falls, causing us to slip further.

We need the Light of the world.

Then Jesus spoke to them again: “I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows Me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life.”

– John 8:12

Listen to Jesus speak to you again. Follow His voice into the sunshine. Let the light cascade into all your hidden corners. Experience the warmth of His embrace as He thaws what has kept you from feeling His love and understanding His plan. His Word will reawaken your purpose and call you back to the path He has called you to walk upon.

Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path.

– Psalm 119:105

The first creative act of God was to speak the light into existence, recorded in Genesis 1:3. He longs to do that again in the shade of darkness you have pulled around you. In the midst of your pain, apathy, struggle for control, chaos or conflict, cry out to the Lord:

God, create a clean heart for me
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not banish me from Your presence
or take Your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore the joy of Your salvation to me,
and give me a willing spirit.

– Psalm 51:10-12

God will hear, and He will answer. With the willing spirit He gives, step into the Light.