“Okay, campers, rise and shine, and don’t forget your booties ’cause it’s cold out there today,” says one of the two radio DJ’s every morning in the movie Groundhog Day. And yes, it’s cold outside again today but sunny. So, Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow this morning. Six more weeks of cold fronts out of the north. And as you can see here, a week after Winter Storm Fern, we’re still cold.

In the movie, egotistical and cynical weatherman Phil Connors, played superbly by Bill Murray, says this: “You know, you want a prediction about the weather, you’re asking the wrong Phil. I’ll give you a winter prediction: it’s gonna be cold, it’s gonna be gray, and it’s gonna last you for the rest of your life!” 

Cold and gray for the rest of your life. Ouch. Not very comforting.

Scripture provides us another picture, from the beginning, a divine covenant given to Noah after the Flood. While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease. Genesis 8:22 KJV. As long as the earth exists, the seasons and daily cycles of day and night will continue, showing God’s mercy, grace, and care for His creation. What else does Scripture show?

Cold as God’s power

Out of the south cometh the whirlwind: and cold out of the north. Job 37:9 KJV

In Job, we learn about God’s absolute sovereignty over nature. Natural phenomena are not random but rather are ordained by God and under His control to prompt human humility, something Phil Connors had to learn before the cycle of repeating groundhog days would be broken. Humility is what makes him a better person—and us, too.

Cold as Good News

As cold waters to a thirsty soul, So is good news from a far country. Proverbs 25:25 KJV

The good, uplifting, positive news, like a drink of cold water after a long, parched, anxious wait, is profoundly good news, refreshing and rejuvenating. Though in Phil’s case—and mine—hearing that good news took a long, long time, days, years and many second, third, fourth and more chances.

Cold as Kindness

And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward. Matthew 10:42 KJV

In the New Testament, we’re often encouraged to be helpers. Here Matthew records Jesus saying that even the smallest, simplest act of kindness—like giving His followers a cup of cold water—is recognized and rewarded by God. In other words, hospitality toward others and support of the vulnerable or persecuted have eternal importance.

Cycles of cold and heat, cold winds out of the north, cold refreshing waters, cold drinks offered to the thirsty. 

How comforting.

Linkup with Five Minute Friday

Subscribe to Notes from Vanaprastha Podcasts on my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@CaroleDuff

Subscribe to Notes from Vanaprastha: https://caroleduff.com

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carole.duff2010/

Subscribe to my Friday Happy Hours Substack: https://substack.com/@caroleduff305076