For all Seasons

Dear Shivering Saints:

There’s something about extreme cold that makes creativity difficult. As mammals, a good portion of our metabolism is obsessed with keeping our body temperature at a level where all the chemical and mechanical reactions can function efficiently, and there’s a very narrow temperature range where that can happen. As a result, when the ambient temperature is very cold or very hot, we either curl up to preserve warmth or sprawl out to maximize surface area and dissipate heat. Those of you who are dog owners know exactly what I’m talking about. It’s only when the air around us hits the Goldilocks zone that we are able to be active and productive; the rest of the time we just complain about the weather.

I noticed this the past few days as the outside air failed to leave single digits. Slapping on a few extra layers for the morning dog walk, I returned home with marginal will to do much of anything except marvel at Aggi’s ability to fend off the cold. In the winter, she’s blessed with an amazing natural coat; in the summer, that same fur is a curse.

What is true for our bodies is also true for our relationships. Facing extreme weather, we either hunker down in the cold with folks we trust or seek cooling distance from one another in the heat. Either way, it’s hard to be productively social when the room temperature is out of whack with what our bodies need, which may explain why we become a bit snarly in January and July. Central heating and air conditioning has dulled our capacity to discern the powerful force temperature has on our sociability. It’s no accident that behind personnel expenses, the largest portion of our church’s operating budget is used to keep our building’s environmental systems functioning. Reptiles and amphibians face no such ebb or flow of companionship or expense—they’re antisocial all year round.

In these cold days of winter, I suggest we strive to be a little kinder to each other, a bit more patient. That person annoying you is enduring the same ridiculous cold, which may account for the temperature of his/her shoulder. The language of interaction reflects this subtle nuance. In the winter we need more ‘warm greetings,’ and in the summer, ‘cooler heads.’ 

There’s a spiritual side to all this—our metaphors for the Holy Spirit include both burning fire and gentle wind. It seems God’s presence has all seasons covered.

Hoping to warm your hearts and your hands, I remain,

With Love,
Jonathan Krogh
Your Pastor