It’s considered a “typical Canadian Winter”.  I’m not sure if it’s my age, my attitude or my weariness, but it certainly does not feel “typical” and definitely not “tropical”.  The memories of this winter for many will include burst pipes, stranded vehicles, days without the comfort of hydro electricity, and hours of (what felt like) snow accumulation.

My Mom used to say that God gives us snow storms to make us (corporately), slow down, rest and to pull us away from the harried lives we live.  That was back when I was a teenager.  Since then, advancements in technology have made it possible for us to stay “dialed-in” 24 hours a day, 7 days a week… except when we have no heat, or hydro, or food or water.  The concept of “essentials” suddenly takes a major curve.

If we carefully examined our North American mindset, would we really say that having our cell phones turned on for most of the day (if not all), and sitting at our computers for the duration of each waking hour, was essential?  Simply, you can’t live without water… or sleep… or food.

What’s really essential to your life?  I have friends who are doing “media fasts” (no Facebook, Twitter etc).  I myself, have done a “television fast” (and that was before cable t.v. was as extensive as it is today, when “netflix” or HBO didn’t exist).  It was challenging then! I wonder what would happen today if we “snow day-ed” ourselves away from all of the media devices in our lives?

What generally happens when fasting, is you learn to purge the non-essentials, to concentrate on what’s important, and to revive your overall health and perspective.  The Old Testament book of Micah 6:8 says,

He has told you, O man, what is good, and what the Lord really wants from you: He wants you to promote justice, to be faithful, and to live obediently before your God.

Maybe if we took a spiritual “snow-day” we’d see the essentials of what God requires of His people.  Perhaps we need to “shovel- away” some of the cold, non-essentials our hearts have gotten used to.

Just a thought… between you and me.