As I pen this reflection, a fierce winter storm blankets the mid-Atlantic, disrupting daily life by canceling over 1,900 flights and shuttering schools. Snow plows are tirelessly clearing the plaza at the US Capitol while lawmakers gather to certify the Electoral College votes amid this tempest.
For me, the first winter storm echoes painful memories of ‘Icemageddon,’ the devastating Texas storm in 2021. It left millions without power for days, claiming lives through hypothermia, accidents, and mismanaged heat sources. My wife and I huddled by our solitary gas fireplace, clutching to fleeting warmth as the power flickered back intermittently, allowing us brief glimpses into the outside world.
This experience starkly reminded me of the raw power of nature and our vulnerability. In contrast, it has become all too easy to forget the harsh realities of mortality in today’s insulated world. Humanity has distanced itself from the dangers that once surrounded our ancestors, making death an abstract concept rather than an immediate reality.
Reflecting on my visits to historical exhibits, I recalled a display from the Civil War, showcasing amputation saws—a relic of times when a simple fall could be fatal. Back then, infections and diseases claimed more lives than battle wounds, and community mortality was a compelling part of life, informing a deeper spiritual commitment.
Today’s secularism is often attributed to scientific understanding and cultural revolutions, yet it also stems from our disconnect from natural death. Personal encounters with death have dwindled; loved ones often pass in sterile hospital settings. Thus, we navigate through life under the illusion of safety, becoming anesthetized to mortality, which is precisely what distracts us from deeper spiritual truths.
C.S. Lewis’s insight from “The Screwtape Letters” encapsulates this beautifully. He notes, “The safest road to hell is the gradual one—the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts.” The enemy relies on our comfortable lives, blinding us to our eternal destiny and dulling our sense of purpose.
To counteract this, we can follow the example of Jonathan Edwards, the revered theologian, whose profound resolutions transformed countless lives. Here are four transformative commitments to consider:
1. “Resolved, to live with all my might, while I do live.”
2. “Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if it were the last hour of my life.”
3. “Resolved, to think much on all occasions of my own dying, and of the common circumstances which attend death.”
4. “Resolved, that I will live so as I shall wish I had done when I come to die.”
By adopting these resolutions, we can harness a more purposeful life, profoundly ensuring we remain grounded in faith and action, prompting us to make each moment count.
A winter storm disrupts life in the mid-Atlantic, bringing memories of the catastrophic Icemageddon in Texas. This experience prompts reflection on our disconnect from mortality. C.S. Lewis’s thoughts on gradual complacency highlight our danger of forgetting our spiritual commitments. Jonathan Edwards’ resolutions inspire a purposeful life, urging us to confront death and live meaningfully.
In essence, the challenges posed by nature serve as reminders of our mortality and the importance of living with intention. By reflecting on the past, we can better appreciate life and foster a commitment to spiritual growth. Embracing the four resolutions can transform how we approach life, urging us to remain aware of our ultimate destiny and influencing how we guide others in their spiritual journeys.
The article explores the impact of winter storms on daily life, using recent severe weather as a backdrop for discussing mortality and spiritual awareness. It contrasts the stark realities faced by past generations with today’s insulated experiences and highlights the importance of confronting mortality through personal resolutions inspired by Jonathan Edwards. The narrative emphasizes the need for deeper spiritual connections in a world that often shields itself from the harshness of existence.
Original Source: www.denisonforum.org
