Whiter than Snow? by Donna Avant

The clock next to my bed displayed 3:30 am as I awoke.  Unfortunately that is not an unusual event for me these days as I have grown older.   As I made my way to the bathroom, I peered out the window and was almost blinded by the brightness of the snow that lay covering the field next to our house.  The freshly fallen snow was reflecting the light of the moon.

When my body finally decided to declare it was morning, I went to the front porch to discover at least three to four inches covering the ground. Though the sun was not visible, I almost needed sunglasses to venture outside with Lucy, our goldendoodle.  The snow was reflecting the sunlight coming through the clouds.

The reason freshly fallen snow can almost be blinding is because it reflects any light source that hits it.

Several times in God’s word there are references to “being whiter than snow.”  

In Psalm 51:7,  after David had been confronted by Nathan concerning his sin with Bathsheba, David sings, “...wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.”

In Isaiah 1:18, the prophet, Isaiah declares to the nation Israel that “though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.” 

David and Isaiah’s experience with snow was most likely limited to Mount Hermon, the highest mountain in Israel.   It usually receives around twenty-four inches of snow a year.  I can imagine that as both of these men looked upon this mountain covered in brilliant white snow, they desired to have their lives radiant the same light.

A repentant heart is a heart that shines brightly in a culture filled with pride, bitterness, and unforgiveness.  It is a heart that reflects the glory of Jesus.  Repentance is not just a feeling or an emotion.  It is a choice to turn away from sin and to Jesus.  

Who is my life reflecting?

When people encounter me, do they see Jesus?

Or do they see Donna?

Wash me, O Lord!  Clean out my heart so that I may reflect your love, joy, peace, kindness and patience in a world that is dark and cold.