What to do on a snowy day

It has been an unusually snowy winter for most of the eastern and southern United States.  Record breaking blizzards shut down the nation’s capitol for several days.  Baltimore and surrounding areas received 30 inches of snow or more.  Dallas and Ft. Worth as well as Atlanta and the entire southeast received measurable snow amounts for the first time in decades.

As a consequence of this unusual snowy weather thousands of school districts have canceled classes.  For many getting to and from work became an impossibility and even unnecessary as many places of businesses didn’t attempt to open.  Even the federal government had to close till the blizzards passed.

So what do you do when you’re “snowed out” (or “in” depending on your perspective).  For the kids it’s no problem.  They head outside to sleigh-ride, build snow men, and make snow angels.

For adults snow days also provide time to catch on reading or watching a little TV.  These days can also be used to get a little extra rest and maybe just take a nap.

There is a fellow in the Bible that used a “snow day” for a most unusual undertaking.  His name is Benaiah.  He was a “valiant”  man who accomplished many heroic deeds and eventually became King David’s chief bodyguard.  You can read about his exploits in 2 Samuel 23:20-23.

What he did on a “snowy day”, however, became his signature accomplishment.  He killed a lion.

He just didn’t shoot it from long-range with a high-powered rifle.  Nor did he lure it into a trap and capture it and then kill it.  He didn’t kill it because he was backed in a corner and had no choice but to defend himself.

No, he purposely chased that lion down into a slippery slick snowy pit.  In spite of the obvious danger and tactical disadvantage, there he killed one of nature’s most deadly predators.

The Bible doesn’t tell us why Benaiah killed this lion.  However, we can rest assured he didn’t risk his life to take its life for some senseless cavalier reason.  He killed the lion because the it had become a threat to himself, his family or community.

There is a threat today to us and our families and communities.  He is our adversary, the devil.  The Apostle Peter describes him as a “roaring lion seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8).  And he’s sounding louder than ever.

Benaiah’s struggle with his lion was a physical battle.  Ours is a spiritual one.  He depended on a club or sword or maybe even his bare hands.  We depend on the power and person of the Holy Spirit available to us because of our relationship with Jesus Christ.

Benaiah aggressively pursued the enemy when he heard it roar.

What are you doing on this snowy day?