Whither in winter weather?

In the Netherlands it was supposed to be a historic snowfall and terrible winter conditions. We live in the south, so it turned out to be a bit different. But we got some snow and we certainly got plenty cold temperatures. But it has been interesting to see how people ar dealing with it all. 

Usually, we would be heading down to Germany this week for ABSS (Advanced Bible Study Series). Of course this is not possible in corona days. It doesn’t matter that it is also very cold and perhaps completely snowed in. ABSS cannot continue as it usually would. But that doesn’t mean that it won’t happen. As with so many things, the week has gone online. 

That actually means that more people will be able to attend than might have been the case. At the moment the British contingent cannot get into Europe. Some past members have in the meantime moved to the US. And for many, the long journeys has always been a challenge. But now they can all be present fro their own living room (even wearing their pajama’s). 

So instead of worrying about travels, many are contemplating their internet evenings. And back in the Netherlands the whole nation began a conversation about the 11-city-trip. This is an ice skating competition that only happens when enough of the water in the Netherlands has frozen that the route between 11 cities can be skated. The last time it was held was 1997. 

So, as soon as the possibility arrived that water was going to freeze, people started thinking about skating. And suddenly the whole country had something else to talk about, something else to concentrate on, than some strange virus or vaccins or masks or government orders. Social media has been flooded with video’s and pictures of skating fun and the country has enjoyed a well-earned breather - in the middle of freezing cold weather. 

It continues to amaze me how God can turn what seem to be unbelievably impossible conditions into something that is truly a blessing for many. Some churches meeting online has meant that peoples in places where church must be clandestine have had more opportunities to enjoy some kind of contact. We have also had to go back online in Maastricht. This means that we have been able to be complete again, although we still look forward to the time when we can see one another in person again. 

People who might never have considered God have also been confronted with difficult times and have found their way to God’s family because of the internet. I had an email and video call with a student who was struggling through the dark days. She found her children’s Bible and wondered who this God was and why she felt she really needed to find out. She will be reading the gospel of Mark this week and wanted to know if she could contact me with her questions. 

Sometimes we do not need to go anywhere to get all the way around the world. I am thankful then - not necessarily for all the hardship and frustration. I have to admit that I am still not happy with all of that. BUT, I can say with the apostle Paul - if God can use my weakness to be immensely strong, then I will glory in being weak that He may be strong. Actually, he said it like this: 

But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.  2 Corinthians 12:9-10

So I am looking forward to the coming days when I will see the crocuses popping their beautiful heads out of the ground letting me know that Spring is on the way, but I will continue to revel in the mighty majesty of my God who can turn withering winter into wonderful. (Forgive me, I like alliteration).