Plow the Snow
Good Morning,
See, I have taught you decrees and laws as the Lord my God commanded me, so that you may follow them in the land you are entering to take possession of it. Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations, who will hear about all these decrees and say, “Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.” Deut. 4:5-6
Its late October here in Colorado and for the 3rd time this month I have had to plow my driveway free of snow. Whether I’m ready for winter or not, it is coming and I will have to deal with it. This morning, it was a little different, however. The snow was fluffy and we had only about 8”. I could have driven through it without much problem and wouldn’t have technically had to plow. If I was just considering today, no problem. But tomorrow we are supposed to get 11” more and then, the combined impact of the driveway not having been cleared plus the new snow would in fact, be a problem.
What does this have to do with our lives beyond a weather report? At the end of these short epistles I always close with “Live this week on purpose”. The same temptation I faced this morning not to plow is the same type of temptation we face in other areas of life. We choose to approach today without the context of tomorrow, next week, or next month and then find ourselves off track wondering what happened.
In Deuteronomy chapter 4 Moses is instructing the people to be careful to observe and obey (live out in everyday life) the commands of God. He goes on to remind them to remember what they have seen with their own eyes – the destruction of people who followed false Gods at Baal of Peor. He then follows up the words in verses 5 and 6 with a warning in verse 9: Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live.
Why this caution? Because Moses knew that the people of Israel, just like us, could be prone to getting negligent. To letting our guard down and doing what is easy and convenient instead of what if right and best. And when we make a habit of that we are headed for trouble. God’s truths are meant to bring us life and freedom. When we get lackadaisical in our application of Scripture we start down a slippery slope. And generally, what awaits us at the end of a slippery slope is a crash. A crash that was avoidable.
So, this week, take the small steps of obedience that will keep you on track. Do the little things that may not make a lot of difference today, but that will make a big difference for the rest of your life… and if necessary, plow the snow!
Live this week on purpose,
Ron Klopfenstein
