Heidi Viars

Cold covers the earth. She has seeped under every rock and crevasse and is trying her best to make her way through my front door and windows.  She is staying, not budging nor moving on soon. She has blanketed the barren trees with her companion, the snow. Branches stretch like bony hands into the sky to receive them both.

Winter has not only moved outside my window, but is trying to claim souls, even my own. A deep desire for authentic love leaves many hearts longing. Wickedness and evil move in like frost and nurture doubt in an almighty and powerful God. Discontentment breathes over us like a harsh wind over a frozen lake in January. The enemy thrives. His cold deceptions aim to kill and destroy. With constant discouragement he tries to render us useless.

 “Father,
help me to overcome my apathy.
Teach me how to prevail over my sinful desire
for constant comfort.
Give me Your Word of Truth,
namely, Jesus Christ.
Help me to share it with this cold world.
Help me to rely on Your strength to move me out of my lethargy.
Light my heart on fire with Your nearness,
compassion, hope and love.
Fuel me with a desire to live a holy life.
Drive out the winter of our souls –
set Your Church on fire, God.”
Is not my word like fire, declares the Lord,
and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?
Jeremiah 23:29 (ESV)
~~~
(Pictures – Heidi Viars, 2014
Text revised, Heidi Viars, 2012)