Natural metaphors promise spiritual truth

One winter evening after supper, my daughter took her kids (my grandchildren) outside their house into the backyard to play in the snow. They made a fort. She eventually brought the two littlest children into the house in preparation for bedtime, but my seven year old grandson stayed outside for another hour building his snow-fort.

He eventually came into the house too, rosy-cheeked and happy. After his teeth were brushed and prayers prayed, he was ready to climb under a mountain of warm blankets and drift into restful sleep.

Later that evening my daughter related the events of the backyard and the snow. I immediately knew the goodness of what transpired in my grandson’s solitary play in the cold night air. There was a spiritual metaphor that he did not miss. I know this because I did the same thing when I was a seven year old boy. My grandson is much brighter than me.

He noticed the contrast between the cold in which he was playing and with the warmth of his home nearby; the darkness around him versus the light in his house. And if there were things that go bump in the night they were outside the security and order of his fenced yard.

My grandson may not have been able to articulate it (any more than I could at his age) but somewhere at a deep soul level he felt a fleeting connection with a spiritual truth illustrated through nature and circumstance. It is a truth that spans the ages of human consciousness.

Jesus said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be.”

The metaphor promises a spiritual truth. The cold of this world will vanish in the warmth of heaven – the Christian's true home. Our darkness and fears will give way to the light and security of our Father’s house. I do not need to try and find my way there. Jesus will take me to Himself.

My heart need not be troubled. The same is true for you.

MP