Frozen Light
“Meet me at the cross.”
The voice wasn’t audible, but couldn’t have been more clear. As I drove into the woods, I knew where He wanted me to go. I don’t hear from God with my ears, and not often as clearly as I did that morning. Mostly, He makes Himself known to me in the recalling and reading of the Scriptures, in the rebuke or admonition of another Christ-follower and in the beauty of nature. But there are times I sense the Spirit clearly pressing into my heart with instructions and affirmations.
Instead of parking in the normal spot and heading on the same trail I had been walking for months, I drove down toward the lake, toward the place with a large wooden cross.
I met a beaver on a sheet of ice. He quickly jumped into the frigid lake. Hundreds of ducks were resting in the cove and flew up when they saw me. A Pileated Woodpecker screeched from a nearby tree. I felt guilty for disturbing nature’s peace.
When I approached the cross, I looked around and spotted a large rock near an oak. The old tree leaned over the water. Its gnarly branches dipped into the lake, collecting large and small icicles. I sat down, listening to small waves gently breaking agains the frozen shore. The ducks were calling in the distance as they settled. Here, I waited for the morning to break.
The sunrise unfolded with a cold breeze pushing in from the lake. For months, I had drudged through the snow in the woods above, one dreary morning at a time. This morning the sky promised sun. This was the first (at least partly) sunny morning in a long time.
Slowly, the sun peeked through the clouds and over the branches. Frame by frame, cold minutes passed and then exploded in a light show before me.
This light, originating from a ball of fire, 91 million miles away, from a place of inapproachable heat and power, was suddenly broken in the icicles. These beams, too bright for me look at, gently radiated in constantly changing colors. From light pink to deep orange, rays spoke of the mighty works of the Creator. Light too powerful to approach, to majestic to contemplate, broke and became visible in its opposite.
Frozen fire. Hardened light. Power in weakness.
I am reminded of God’s work in and through me.
I don’t have to become louder, stronger, mightier or tougher.
God in His kindness seeks out the weakness in man and makes Himself known.
“The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded
for the sake of your prayers.
Above all, keep loving one another earnestly,
since love covers a multitude of sins.”
(1 Peter 4:7-8)
“I used to think that God’s gifts were on shelves – one above another – and the taller we grow, the easier we can reach them. Now I find that God’s gifts are on the shelves – and the lower we stoop, the more we get.”
(F.B Meyer)
~
(pictures and essay, Heidi Viars, 2021)
“God in His kindness seeks out the weakness in man and makes Himself known.” What a great consolation. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for reading, Anna
LikeLiked by 1 person
Outstanding, Heidi. Just beautiful in text and photos. God’s grip – Alan
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful God, Alan. Thanks for reading, brother
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful, Heidi. That scene produced just for you ~ and to share with us. He takes my breath away.
Blessings as you continue to follow that light.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes Fran, He does take my breath away, too. I am borrowing a statement made to me this week and am passing it on to you, “Be blessed as you are faithful with the fire.”
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thought-provoking photos and meditation, Heidi. Just as the sun transformed the icicles, the fire of the Holy Spirit transforms our dull selves into glowing reflections of our Father (2 Corinthians 3:18). And as if that isn’t enough, the day is soon coming when Christ will appear and we shall be like him, “because we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2). I’m imagining one of those icicles glowing with the fullness of the sun–an image of us glowing with the fullness of Him. Brilliance beyond comprehension that boggles the mind!
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a beautiful image, Nancy. I love your thoughts. His reflection in us … the inapproachable Light using the most fickle and fragile. What treasure we carry … may we know its value and power!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow, Heidi! These photos fill me with a refreshing hope. Yes, God is still in control and He is still with us! Thank you for sharing God’s glory with us. Love and blessings to you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for reading, Trudy. I really only push the button on what He puts right in front of us. He is so good to us!!!
LikeLike
I lOVE this! God is so amazing! His brilliance all around us! Thank you for being obedient to THAT voice and for sharing with us the wonders God is sharing with you 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for reading, Wendy. He is so good to us!
LikeLike
Beautiful. Thanks for sharing, Heidi.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for your encouragement, Ann
LikeLike
I know exactly what you mean Heidi, when you say that God’s Holy Spirit can speak to you directly, in your mind, when He wants you to do something. And after a few times, you instantly come to recognize His leading and voice and there is no doubt. I wish that happened every day but it doesn’t, just once in a while and those times are precious and most importantly, they are personal, between your Creator and just you. And you know that He cares and you are His and nothing can ever change that. Thank you for sharing, God’s blessings on you and yours.
LikeLike
Thanks for reading, Bruce. Blessing to you as well.
LikeLike