I am very blessed that extreme temperatures don't bother me. I've ridden in 124 degree heat, and also driven when the thermometer is buried at -42. Now I'm not saying the extremes are my first choice to be in, but you find a constant in the types of people who live in them-they don't complain. Riding in 124 heat, I rode with a guy who wore his winter coat and gloves, it wasn't hot to him as he had just returned from Iraq and had seen 145 on the ground. In Colorado, it was not uncommon to hear "it's -20 today," only to have someone else mention it hit -35 at his house at a higher altitude. You dealt with, and learned to function and live in it.
But with the mountains, it brought a lot of snow. The first winter at Vallecito Lake we had over 500 inches-about 44 feet of snow. In one four day period we had 8' of snow, or put another way 96 inches in 96 hours! To me that was a lot by any circumstances. But a funny thing happened-there was only one day we couldn't get to town. You see Colorado has an incredible system of snow removal.
This crew of snow plows and their operators are incredible. They are out when it starts, having a plan devised to keep the roads passable, and to me it is nothing short of a miracle. Particularly when you figure in the danger. They don't have guardrails or curbs on many roads, so they follow land marks when they can, and when they can see. I've talked to those who think they have been in a total white out, and I thought I had been until I was in one-it's freaky. Like the dark, only white-with no definition, and no landmarks. And these brave snowplow men operate in these conditions. Very rarely do you hear of an accident, but when you do it is almost always fatal, as 2000 foot drops are encountered. But yet, they still do their job-and admirably so.
During the 8 day blizzard, there was only one day we didn't get into Durango, 27 miles away. Leaving the cabin before 6am, the plows had already done their first sweep, and sometimes you could follow one in-a bonus. But turning off of CR501, onto the road into town, you pick up some serious altitude in the next five miles, and the plow had not been through yet. We had driven the road so many times before we knew it, so took off-unplowed. Snow when we started off was up over the bumper of our Rabbit, and for the next hour we drove almost four miles, plowing ahead on our own. But finally came to a stop when we couldn't push it anymore, and high centered. And with no place to turn around, the only way back was to back down the road-for four miles. So we did, and with the cold at below -30, hung my head out the window to see. Not only hard on the face, but makes it hard to breathe-you are at 8000' altitude, and the cold affects your lungs. And as the cold air hits your warm body it forms ice, on your beard. Which then instantly froze, and broke off in pieces. My argument for cold is, was it so cold your beard broke off? Maybe you weren't that cold after all. But we made it back-only took 2 hours in reverse and fortunately encountered no one else-they were all smart enough to wait for the plow. And we lived to drive another day-although without the proper coverage of facial hair. But a lesson learned, and remembered.
God tells us He would that we be hot or cold, but because we are not, he vomits us out of His mouth. Now we instantly think temperature, but God is talking a heart condition. If you are eager after Christ, He will be with you, and bless you. Your life will reflect it. Also if you are cold to the Lord, He will continue to show Himself to you, and it will show in your trials, and failures. Like driving without a plowed road. But it is the lukewarm, the Goldilocks out there, that are trendy towards Him, that He despises. When hot or cold, you have made a decision to follow Him whether you realize it or not, it is just the degree you surrender to Him. But when lukewarm, you have also made a choice-and it is all about you. Choosing God when He can help you, and feeding your fleshly desires, sometimes at the expense of others. You see Goldilocks was one selfish sucker, if it didn't fit her plan, she rejected it. But those of us who choose God, will get hot and cold-but will always seek Him. She sought herself, and God rejected her, because she rejected Him. Just the opposite of what He says to us, He loved us first!
And sometimes it takes a blizzard, or extreme heat in our lives to help us make the decision. The heat of low finances, of joblessness, or of being overwhelmed by life. Or the cold of a divorce or a relationship gone cold-or dead, to run to God. That is why hot or cold, He offers ways to Him-our eyes still stay on Him.
Whether guiding a plow, navigating a snow packed road, or just driving to the mall, we need God in our lives. And we find that He puts the desire for a relationship in front of us daily. Only a fool denies it, or a Goldilocks. Believe me, it takes more than driving skill to navigate in a blizzard-your eyes may be on the road, but your mind is always praying-no matter your walk.
God offers you the choice to know Him through Jesus Christ. Hot or cold, He is with you. Snow or dry, He guides. And when you rest with Him, the bed is always what you need to rest in-for He is with you. Poor Goldilocks-for one nights sleep, and a full stomach, she gave it all up. Don't you-stick close to God, and watch as the coldness of your heart melts-no matter the outside temp.
And wait for him to guide you-He makes a way just like the plow does. Isn't is nice to know the road you are on is safe in Him? Stay warm this winter, in Christ. Chains not needed-He broke those binds on you too! So get out and seek Him!
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com