February 02, 2011
Let it Snow, Let it Snow…
The last major snow storm we had dropped over seven inches and it was a back-breaker to shovel. We decided it was time for a snow blower and Bill found one for sale on consignment. I didn’t think about it being a bigger unit than we needed until a friend asked, “Does that have a V-8 under it?” Wouldn’t you know that since buying the snow blower we’ve had very little snow…that is until just this week. Now Bill is out lovin’ his neighbor and his neighbor’s walks.
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Gail;
-----I think I know what your friend was referring to. A couple months ago I was emailed a picture of some fellow’s snow blower. He had a 412hp 454 Chevy Rat motor mounted to a blower that would throw snow fifty feet at just moderate throttle. With its un-muffled headers pointed skyward, I imagine its bark would throw his neighbors out of bed, too, for four blocks around!
-----Early in my Christian life I became quite attached to I Peter 3:15b, “Always be prepared to make a defense to any one who calls you to account for the hope that is in you, yet do it with gentleness and reverence.” This wasn’t the reason I went to Bible college, but it was much of what drove me to study the sciences, history, and politics. Like this fellow’s snow blower needs a transmission and undercarriage to plow into its work, I figured the Bible needed a transmission and undercarriage to plow into this work of accounting for the hope that is in me.
-----I am more sure of it today than ever before. But the transmission and undercarriage I’ve been assembling over the decades still sits in the shop with little use. Don’t get me wrong. Knowing much about the world around us ( being the setting of everyone’s lives and the building blocks of their perceptions) is greatly beneficial to discussing the Bible simply because it also deals with people’s efforts to make sense of the setting. But most all of the people I meet don’t need their snow blown fifty feet. I continue to remove more snow with a shovel.
-----The past couple years I’ve noticed a different, more relevant point in this scripture. Verse 16 is a continuance of its sense, “...and keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are abused, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.” Keeping your conscience clear has little to do with knowing the world round about. It has everything to do with good behavior. So then, Colossians 4:5-6 ties right in, “Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer every one.” Forgiveness and patience are a couple of the more powerful defenses of our hope and answers to everyone. When you flat out forgive someone - no holds barred - over a grievance they’ve caused, it blows them away. And the bigger the grievance the more the throttle opens up on that 454 Rat! Waiting for forgiveness doesn’t even have to happen. Being patient while someone is assembling your grievance sometimes gets their attention, too. And the Bible is stocked with other handles for snow shovels. Generosity, kindness, graciousness, consideration, honor, and being plain peaceable are just a few of the convincing expressions the love of Christ poured into our hearts generates.
-----Today, I don’t believe any amount of education a person can acquire is useless. But I do believe more defense of our hope is made and more answers are given by our just living good lives. “So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all men, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” (Galatians 6:10)
Love you all,
Steve Corey
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