You know you’re in Florida when you can spot palm trees decked out with Christmas lights and folks wearing flip-flops to a “winter” church service!
While the rest of the country is shoveling driveways, we’re out here shooing away mosquitoes with one hand and sipping hot cocoa with the other. Still, even in our mild winter, this season reminds us of something deeper than the weather report. Our faith, that should bring warmth in a world that can grow cold toward God, sometimes feels the nip of the occasional wind chill.
At times, our days seem spiritually to be filled with beautiful sunrises over the beach and warm sea breezes. We feel close to the Lord, prayers just flow from our hearts and the joy of the Lord is our strength. Our Souls are at peace.
Yes, even in the place where it is usually warm, a cold front can dip in, and we feel the unusual “Brrr.”It may not send us running for snow suits, but we notice the chill and it’s not the norm for us. The ladies in our church feel that chill. Once it goes below 70 degrees, the boots come out. In the mild “Florida winter” that can blow on our souls, don’t neglect it and let the temperature get cold without doing something. Start looking for your boots.
Jesus pointed out to the church in Laodicea in Revelation 3, that they were neither cold nor hot, they were lukewarm. A condition of the hot becoming cold. Getting a little chilled reminds us of how nice it is to be warm. The Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 12:1, we should be “fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.” The word “fervent” means glowing with heat. Our faith is to be a warmth that glows.
So, as we face the “Florida winter," as mild as it may seem, stay near the place you warm your soul.The Psalmist said, “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” (Psalm 119:105). In ancient days, lamps were oil burning vessels. They would not only provide light but put off heat. When your faith feels the chill of the season quickly get in the warmth of the Word.
Just like boots, Warmth for our Souls comes in pairs. Not only is there Faith, Romans 10:17, "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God," there is also Fellowship. Solomon in his great wisdom writes in Ecclesiastes 4:11 “Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?” We need each other, we need partners. The “Florida winter” chill blows on all of us. The writer of Hebrews reminds us in chapter 10 verses 24-25, “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”
Like coals in a fire, Christians grow cold when isolated, but glow brighter and warmer when gathered together. I encourage you to stay warm during our Florida winter. Grab your Bible and head to church.
