MUST BE
Minister Gulley was late reading his website yesterday. He indicated that I had left an element. The reality is that several analogies can be taken from the snow. However, his point was warranted, and I decided to touch on it this morning, along with a few other factors. Snow only falls when certain conditions are met: the atmospheric temperature must be at or below freezing, and there must be enough moisture in the air for snowflakes to form. If the temperature is too warm, the snow won't form, no matter how much moisture is present. Similarly, if someone's heart is not in the right condition—if they are not spiritually receptive and "born again"—then the Holy Spirit cannot "fall" on them. The heart must be prepared, much like the atmosphere must be cold enough, for the Holy Spirit to work. The heart must be right. John 3:3 says, "Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again." This mirrors the idea that the conditions must be right for both snow to form and for someone to receive the Holy Spirit. Just as snow does not fall everywhere, the Holy Spirit does not dwell in every heart—only in those who have been spiritually transformed, have accepted Christ, and are receptive to His presence.
Another important point about snow is its selectivity in where it falls. Yesterday, we witnessed this idea in action. It snowed unexpectedly in many Southern states and possibly even in some Northern states, which is more typical for that region. Yet! snow does not cover every part of the world; it falls in places where the conditions are right. There are areas where the cold air and moisture come together, creating the perfect conditions for snow to fall, while others might never experience it.
In the same way, the Holy Spirit doesn't "fall" or work in every heart—only in those who have been spiritually renewed and who are open to receiving Him. When someone is born again, the Holy Spirit enters that individual's life, transforming their heart. Just as snow changes the landscape, the Holy Spirit begins to reshape a person's life. Snow can blanket the earth, covering everything in a pristine layer of white, much like how the Holy Spirit can cleanse a person's heart and mind, making them "new" in Christ. In John 7:37-39, Jesus invites those who thirst to come to Him, promising that they will receive "living water" through the Holy Spirit. This is a direct reference to the Holy Spirit, who nourishes and renews our spirits, just like water sustains life in nature.
Just as the snow provides the earth with much-needed water when it melts, the Holy Spirit "waters" our souls, giving us the refreshment and renewal we need for spiritual growth. When the Holy Spirit comes into our lives, it's like a spring of water flowing through us, washing away spiritual dryness and bringing forth new life.
Isaiah 55:10-11 says, "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, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it." Just as rain causes the earth to yield fruit, snowmelt provides water that nourishes crops, and the Holy Spirit enables us to grow spiritually and bear fruit for God's kingdom. The Holy Spirit is like rain that falls on our souls, causing our spiritual roots to grow deep and bringing forth fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).
Just as snow and rain revive dry and barren lands, the Holy Spirit revives our souls when we are weary, discouraged, or in a spiritual drought. Psalm 23:3 says, "He refreshes my soul." The Holy Spirit is a source of restoration, bringing renewal and a fresh sense of God's presence in our lives.
Just as snow falls in the winter and melts in the spring to nourish the earth, the Holy Spirit works in seasons in our lives. Sometimes, the Holy Spirit might seem dormant or less apparent during difficult "winters" in our lives, but when the "spring" of God's renewal comes, His Spirit pours out like a gentle rain or melting snow to bring life and growth once again. God spoke to us in so many ways yesterday and continues to speak to us today through the white beauty blanket of snow. I felt compelled to continue this because it is true that we all must remember that just as the show has been released, the pouring out of the Holy Spirit upon our lives is like the life-giving rain and snow that refreshes, sustains, and transforms us into the people God intends for us to be. However, the conditions for it to fall must be right. So! I woke up this morning to remind all of us that we must be, that is if we want to see the fall in our lives of God's Holy Spirit, if we want to be born-again.