Buds and Ice | What to do when God sends something unseasonal into your life

Sometime life throws us the unexpected. Recently, strange weather events have been experienced all over the globe. Not so long ago I came across the scene in the photograph — buds encased in ice. It seemed symbolic of the random nature of life.

I spent time with a friend who was lamenting recent events in his life. He felt that every time he was about to make a breakthrough something knocked him back. What was the point of that, he wondered? I didn’t have an answer, but many people in the Bible understand our plight.

Take Job. His life went from bliss to tragedy in a moment — and it was not of his own making. Yet Job acknowledged that God does not need to account for what He causes or allows, “He is not a mere mortal like me that I might answer him, that we might confront each other in court.” (Job 9:32 NIV11).

I love Job because he is very real about his pain and confusion. He is honest to himself, his friends and God. As a result he finds his way to a painful but transformative encounter with God. Perhaps that is the point of confusion. If we are confused we seek answers and, Jesus said, “seek and you will find” (Matthew 7:7 NIV11). We may not find an answer, but we might find we do not need one. And, we will surely find ourselves closer to God.

Instead of bemoaning the unseasonal ‘snow’ in your life, why not seek the snow’s maker? Perhaps you will find, as Job did, a healthier relationship with God.

Malcolm Cox