Under a crust of snow
Then the wolf shall be a guest of the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; the calf and the young lion shall browse together, with a little child to guide them … There shall be no harm or ruin on all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be filled with knowledge of the Lord, as waters cover the sea. – from Isaiah 11
What is going on under that crust of snow?
Deep calls to deep, as the ground recovers the nutrients it needs and one plant after another hibernates before the call of spring.
Every kind of body, plant and animal, gives itself up to this rejuvenation. There is never any hurry in what winds there are, what rains, what cold days turned warm and dry days become wet. We are held safely and sweetly to grow strong in the hands of God.
And I can trust that this natural wholesome movement is also taking place beneath the surface of our culture and our history. Violence and confusion on top draw my attention, but I must recollect the Nature of things that are made by God. Because God is in no hurry, neither can we be. As our bodies realize this, we begin at last to live without fear.
There is no question whether the wolf will lie down with the lamb. And in the meantime we give ourselves up, rejoicing, to rejuvenation.
Of course you are holding me now, Lord. As daylight settles into darkness and night cries out, as I shiver with cold and hold my sides, I can breathe in the air that you breathe out, and know how close you are. We are all little match girls now and then, watching for your shooting stars.
http://www.davesandel.net/category/advent-and-christmas-devotions-2017/
http://www.christiancounselingservice.com/archived_devotions.php?article_id=1619
