The difference christian faith makes looks as dramatic as this

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One photograph was taken in February, with the ground shrouded by deep snow and the fountain sheathed in thick ice. The others were taken this afternoon after a thundery shower of rain. At ground level a colourful labyrinth  adorns wooden decking, above which the  fountain stands distinctively in its square container. The same fountain stands in the same position, yet everything looks different. In the snow covered scene there is no inkling whatsoever of the colour, form and detail which lies hidden and out of sight. Come the thaw an astonishing revelation unfolds.

When the Bible speaks of the love of God as it is met and understood in Jesus, this is what it looks like, feels like, is like. This is the radical transformation of which St Paul speaks and to which our hymnody bears witness: "I once was lost but now am found" (John Newton, Amazing Grace). 

When  blizzards return and ice envelops this is all still true; it simply needs to be uncovered by the warmth of the sun. The colour, form and detail is still there, it is just waiting to be disclosed.

The Bible begins with Original Blessing. All is good. Our deepest truth therefore is not our snowbound frozen souls, but rather the beauty which lies waiting to be discovered deep down and underneath the compressed snowflakes of shame, regret and hurt. The warming of love will melt it, if only we trust to the light of God's love in Jesus.