A couple of weeks ago, the mornings got a little darker. I am not referring to the winter solstice on December 21; this dimming happened the following week. One morning, in particular, Amanda and I noticed our boys were sleeping a little later, and the inside of our house was darker. Shouldn’t it be getting lighter now that the solstice had passed?
It didn’t take long to figure out what was different; the snow was gone. It had finally melted after four weeks of covering the ground; the blanket of white had disappeared. Any snow-sport enthusiast will tell you of the harsh effects of sun and snow. You sunburn twice as quickly, and you had better wear sunglasses or goggles to protect your eyes from the doubling effects of the sun reflected off the snow below. It was a reminder of how easily those tiny ice crystals reflect light, even the light of the moon. If you have ever walked through a winter wonderland with a full moon, you know how much brighter the landscape becomes.
There is an image presented in scripture regarding the radiance of God’s glory and holiness; this picture is conveyed in Daniel and carried forward to the second person of the trinity in Revelation. These two descriptions communicate that looking at God is to look at someone as white as snow.
Daniel 7:9 – “I kept looking until thrones were set up, And the Ancient of Days took His seat; His garment was white as snow, And the hair of His head like pure wool. His throne [was] ablaze with flames, Its wheels were a burning fire.”
Revelation 1:14 – “His head and His hair were white like white wool, like snow; and His eyes were like a flame of fire.”
The whiteness of snow is so pure and undefiled; it perfectly represents the nature and character of our Creator and Savior. And to experience this type of purity as it coats the ground is an excellent reminder of whom we serve and follow. However, this is something else we should remember. God calls us to be transformed into His likeness.
Ephesians 4:23-24 – “and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.”
It is incredible to think that our holiness replicates the likeness of God. When others see me, they witness the luminescence of God’s righteousness and purity. We don’t often talk like this because we don’t want the pressure of being holy and righteous thrust upon us. However, God designed us to bear His likeness, and we should champion that goodness to the rest of the world. When we shine a light, this is the light that we are shining. God’s goodness, righteousness, and holiness wherever we may go.
When David stumbled and committed adultery, David requested cleansing so that he could be made white as snow and renewed. To return to a time when he reflected the holiness of God to those around him.
Psalm 51:7-10 –
“Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
Cleanse me, and I will be whiter than snow.
Let me hear joy and gladness,
Let the bones You have broken rejoice.
Hide Your face from my sins
And wipe out all my guilty deeds.
Create in me a clean heart, God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.”
We were not renewed for solitary reasons. When Jesus’ blood cleansed us, it would allow others to recall the purity and holiness of God. Living in this way brightens the world, even on the darkest days of the year. If we were to coat the ground with the brightness of snow, how much more illuminated this world would be? Instead, we tarnish our exteriors; we cover ourselves in dirt and wonder why no one is interested in the glory and goodness of God. Let us be like David, who asked to be made cleansed and pure during a hideous lapse in his character. Then he would praise God because it reflects God’s character in the world.
Psalm 51:13-15 –
“Then I will teach wrongdoers Your ways,
And sinners will be converted to You.
Save me from the guilt of bloodshed, God, the God of my salvation;
Then my tongue will joyfully sing of Your righteousness.
Lord, open my lips, so that my mouth may declare Your praise.”