I realize that much of my country is experiencing a blast of icy Arctic air, and that we’re seeing pictures on the TV of houses covered in 6 feet of snow and “polar vortex” is becoming a part of our everyday vocabulary. But indulge me. I’m going to talk about something “cool”.

As difficult as it may be for some of you right now, think back to a time when you were hot. Uncomfortably, irritatingly hot. You wanted an escape. You needed an escape. And then you opened the door to an air conditioned room, poured yourself an icy drink and ahhhhhhh…..you were refreshed.

Ever thought of your time with God that way?

I hadn’t. Until we came across this verse in Bible study the other night:

“Repent therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord”. Acts 3:19

That word “refreshing”? Comes from a Greek word that means, “To breathe, to make cool, refreshing with cool air, to relieve when under distress”.

Time spent with the Lord is like a wave of cool air washing over you when you’re hot and tired and cranky and just need relief. It doesn’t need to be 90 degrees outside for us to feel tired and cranky and in need of relief. Life can do that to us without regard for actual temperatures and seasons. And we stay there longer than we need to sometimes. Silly us. We forget where the relief can be found.

Peter’s sermon here in Acts reminds us that we need to be right with the Lord. And when we are, any moment we spend in His presence refreshes us, revives us, relieves us.

Whatever your particular need is today, whether a cool glass of iced tea or a warm mug of hot chocolate, let it remind you to spend some time with God.

Refreshments are waiting.

He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul. Psalm 23:2-3

Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me. Psalm 138:7