

There is but a step between me and death. 1 Samuel 20:3 For days, magnificent winter weather prevailed: blue skies, radiant sun, with temperatures below zero degrees so that the snow did not melt. The ski lifts were in operation, and downhill skiers frolicked on the slopes. Those who loved cross-country skiing made their tracks on the marked trail. Others sought their own path off the designated route, although this had already put many in danger. Everyone wanted to enjoy the winter day and the opportunity to relax in their own way. On one such day, a woman traced her lonely path over the ridge of the Hornisgrinde. The snow had formed strong drifts. On the east side, where the mountain steeply descends to the Biberkessel, there were overhanging snow masses known as cornices. When the skier ventured a bit too far, one of these cornices broke off and dragged the woman down into the depths. After a difficult search operation, the mountain rescue team could only recover the missing woman, buried dead in the snow. It was a beautiful winter’s day, but death was right at the door! “In the midst of life we are surrounded by death.” These words from an old church hymn were on the death notice. And how apt they are! Even though such accidents are rare in a medium mountain range like the Black Forest, mountain deaths occur every year in high mountain areas. It isn’t always recklessness or carelessness that causes them. Death lurks in many places – on the road, at the workplace and even in the home. “There is but a step”, says our Bible verse, “between me and death.” How important it is, therefore, that we have our affairs in order with God now, that we are reconciled with Him through faith in the Saviour Jesus Christ! Today’s reading: Exodus 29:19-30 · Luke 12:13-21 https://gbv-online.org/calendar/262/date/2026-02-21
There is but a step between me and death. 1 Samuel 20:3 For days, magnificent winter weather prevailed: blue skies, radiant sun, with temperatures below zero degrees so that the snow did not melt. The ski lifts were in operation, and downhill skiers frolicked on the slopes. Those who loved cross-country skiing made their tracks on the marked trail. Others sought their own path off the designated route, although this had already put many in danger. Everyone wanted to enjoy the winter day and the opportunity to relax in their own way. On one such day, a woman traced her lonely path over the ridge of the Hornisgrinde. The snow had formed strong drifts. On the east side, where the mountain steeply descends to the Biberkessel, there were overhanging snow masses known as cornices. When the skier ventured a bit too far, one of these cornices broke off and dragged the woman down into the depths. After a difficult search operation, the mountain rescue team could only recover the missing woman, buried dead in the snow. It was a beautiful winter’s day, but death was right at the door! “In the midst of life we are surrounded by death.” These words from an old church hymn were on the death notice. And how apt they are! Even though such accidents are rare in a medium mountain range like the Black Forest, mountain deaths occur every year in high mountain areas. It isn’t always recklessness or carelessness that causes them. Death lurks in many places – on the road, at the workplace and even in the home. “There is but a step”, says our Bible verse, “between me and death.” How important it is, therefore, that we have our affairs in order with God now, that we are reconciled with Him through faith in the Saviour Jesus Christ! Today’s reading: Exodus 29:19-30 · Luke 12:13-21 https://gbv-online.org/calendar/262/date/2026-02-21