The Purposeful Snowflake

Written-Saturday, May 26, 2007

I know this may not be the best picture in the world, but in my world of photography, it represents something profound to me that I thought I would share. The snowflake, that you see has not been altered in any way. It is here now before you, exactly as it was then on that cold snowy day. If you click on the image you can see a larger view and will notice the amazing detail. There are many types of snowflakes, this particular one is called a Fernlike Stellar Dendrite. These are the largest snow crystals, and can often fall to the earth with diameters of 5mm or more. In spite of their large size, they are single crystals of ice. These crystals can be extremely thin and light, so they make a low density snow pack and are what every skier or boarder hopes to find- "Great Powder".
There in that moment was captured the wonderful complexity of God's creation. Yet it will never be as it once was. All we have is a frozen image , caught in time, allowing us the luxury to look back andcontemplate how the life of a snowflake can be much like our own fragile and temporal lives. The bible tells us in Psalm 103:13-16, As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him, for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust. As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field, the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.

Like the snowflake, our lives here will soon be over. The impressions that we have made on the lives of others are the only things that will carry on after we are gone. Our choices have far reaching effects. Some that we may never know. Yet many times we let our emotions and desires rule us and we end up regretting things ignorantly done or said.

Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires- Romans 8:5

There is only one answer for this conflict that we experience. We must become purposeful in all that we do and we must do, as the bible tells us in Galatians 5:16 and 24, So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature... Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.

This death can be a painful experience, but it is necessary if we are those which belong to Christ and we want to leave impressions that positively impact the lives of people we love.

Next to that snowflake is a boy that I love with all my heart. He has experienced both the blessings and cursings that have resulted from the choices that I have made. He is not completely in focus in this picture, and I'm sure he would tell you that he is still not completely clear about the road he wants to travel in this life. There have been confusing messages, broken promises and hurtful words spoken. As I take an honest look at my life, I must admit that I have not always walked by the Spirit, yet there is a powerful truth that I cling to. I know, that if I confess my sins, God is faithful to forgive them, and the bible tells us in Romans 8:28, that in all things God will work for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose.

One snowflake, aimlessly falling may silently disappear without notice. Then we also see the majesty of God, as many snowflakes purposefully come together and cause a mountain side to glisten and sparkle like a jewel in the hands of the King. My hope and prayer is that we can be a part of something greater than ourselves. That we will determine to be a people of purpose aside from our ever changing feelings, and in so doing leave something on this earth that is beautiful and ultimately glorifying to God.

Isaiah 55:10
As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater.

Isaiah 1:18
"Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.