I had what to me was an interesting conversation this week. It centered around whether the amount of snow recorded in a year is based on 'snowfall' or 'accumulation?' What precipitated this conversation was an unusual - to me - characteristic of Western Pennsylvania winters. Yesterday, it snowed all day here - from morning to evening - and yet, there was maybe a quarter inch of accumulation. Now, probably the ground is too warm, the snow melts and soaks in, and so has no chance to accumulate. But that's kind of my point, snowfall or accumulation? And if accumulation, how does one measure the difference between a heavy snow and a light snow? Couldn't six inches of a heavy snow be worth two feet of a light snow?

I've had people come to me concerned in various ways about their spiritual growth. I've come to wonder what measurement is being used - accumulation or snowfall. God's glory and truth fall on us from morning to evening and back to morning again. Does the lack of accumulation mean that any less of it fell? Is it possible that during the times where there is less accumulation in our lives that God is using that time to let it all soak into us? And how do we measure the difference between the 'heavy' grace and truth moments compared to the 'light' grace and truth moments?

Our fascination with 'MORE' - even for signs of God's glory and truth - can be a detriment to us if by 'MORE' we aren't looking for more of God. So how do we measure spiritual growth?       

2 comment(s) for “God in the Week - Snow”

• 1. Marge U. on Tuesday, December 29, 2009 at 3:53 PM

  Good question! To me the measure of spritual growth can be measured by my inner thoughts, my actions, my reactons, etc. When I begin to see an improvement in my attitudes, and actions etc. about which I have brought to Him in prayer, I am thankful for His continued work in my life and LET HIM WORRY ABOUT "MEASURING" it. However, I need to realize there is ALWAYS room for improvement, so continued consultation with Him in whatever area I lack will always be necesssary.

• 2. Pastor Russell on Monday, January 4, 2010 at 9:33 AM

  Marge - Very well put. The 'measuring' of our faith is a very dangerous path to go down.