Whiteout Conditions

Posted on January 5, 2018 by Graeme Wilson in Victory Call

On December 30^th, my niece got married in Upstate New York where it was very cold and snowy.  The wedding and reception were beautiful. As we prepared to leave in the evening it was apparent that it had snowed … a lot… while we were enjoying ourselves at the reception.  The car was covered and there were piles of snow around the car giving evidence that that plows had been around already.
I was driving my mother’s NEW car! As we made our way to the expressway the roads were slick and progress was slow.  Slow and steady we went.
The next morning Pastor Dave Daye started his sermon with a similar picture as above and everyone laughed.  He shared the story of his adventures trying to get home from the reception as well.  His message was relative to the mission of their church and staying on track by noting visible road signs.
I would like to share a simple related message about walking by faith when whiteout conditions strike in our lives.  Driving in a blizzard is a great illustration of trials and challenges in the Christian life.
There are times when we can’t see where we are going and in blizzard conditions we often just follow the person in front of us, which is great unless she is not on the road.  While I drove that night, I was searching for any marker that gave me an idea of where the road actually was.  Street signs, glimpses of road lines, barriers, flashing lights, tire marks, etc.  It wasn’t just in taking note of these markers but correctly understanding what they meant.
When we can’t see where we are going, how do we stay on track?  We don’t want trials and difficulties to derail us in our Christian walk. When we face trials in life, well-meaning people are fraught with advice. Some of it may be good, some bad.  How can we tell the difference?
Our confidence is well grounded in the unchanging, steadfast, immovable Word of God.  No surprise there.  Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven. Psalm 119:89
Understanding God’s Word gives us truths that mark the left side of our path and the right side of our path to keep us moving forward in the right direction. How well versed in Scripture are you?  A friend once told me: What is true in the light is still true in the dark. It is a good reminder to keep in mind.
When the blizzard descends call to mind truths you have hidden in your heart to steer you in the right direction.
Your mercy, O Lord, is in the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds. Psalm 36:5
I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever; With my mouth will I make known Your faithfulness to all generations. Psalm 89:1
I would have lost heart, unless I had believed That I would see the goodness of the Lord In the land of the living. Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord! Psalm 27:13
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6
 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. James 1:2-4
 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed—  always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. 2 Corinthians 4:7-10
Pastor Dave made a great point. During the blizzard is not the best time to learn to drive in the snow but if that is where you find yourself, trust God to meet you there anyway.
I hope you don’t have blizzards in 2018 but if you do, hold fast to your faith and remain steadfast on the path.
Blessings,
Diane
Diane Hunt serves part-time on the staff of America’s Keswick providing ministry support from her home in North Carolina. She is also a biblical counselor and women’s event speaker. For more information about having Diane speak at your next event please contact her at dhunt@americaskeswick.org.