The bitter cold that recently swept across the South had a way of shrinking our world. Curtains were drawn tight against the seeping chill, heaters hummed constantly, and many of us made quick trips to the store to prepare for what might have been worse. Streets emptied. Plans were canceled. We wisely sought shelter, gathered what we needed and stayed close to those who help us feel safe.
Scripture understands this instinct well. Again and again, the Bible affirms the goodness of refuge. Psalm 46:1 speaks of God as “a refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” In a way, we turn to God by also turning to one another. The early Christian community described in Acts shared food, space and resources, ensuring no one faced hardship alone. Safety, in Scripture, is often communal.
And yet, the biblical story never ends with everyone staying inside forever.
After the storm passes, whether literal or metaphorical, Scripture consistently calls people back out. Elijah, having hidden in a cave, is told by God to go out and stand on the mountain. The disciples, huddled in fear after the crucifixion, are met by the risen Christ, who says, “As the Father has sent me, so I send you” (John 20:21). Shelter is necessary, but it is not the destination.
The rhythms of retreat and return, of shelter and sending, feel especially relevant as winter loosens its grip. We needed the quiet. We needed the pause. But we are not meant to live with the curtains permanently closed. The world – still cold and complicated – is also the place where love is practiced, neighbors are checked on and hope is made visible.
Re-engaging does not mean pretending everything is fine. It means stepping back with care and intention. It might look like reaching out to someone who struggled during the storm. It might mean supporting local efforts that serve those for whom “staying warm inside” was never an option. It might simply mean showing up again at work, at school or at worship with a little more gratitude than before.
Winter reminds us how much we need refuge. God reminds us that refuge equips us to return. Having been sheltered, warmed and sustained, we are gently – yet clearly – invited back into the world.
The Rev. Andrew McLarty is Rector at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Columbus.
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