The Coming of Spring

A great egret displays its green face for spring. Most birds breed and bring new life in spring. Many, like this egret, have special colorations just for the season.

            This winter hit many North Americans with much more snow and cold than they have experienced in most winters. Many shivered through this winter looking for its end. And even though some of us still experienced some snow again this week, we can still be confident that winter is over. In most areas, spring temperatures are finally becoming the norm.

New leaves of springtime.

            In the spring, The Sustainer of Life brings longer days and a new season of coming warmth. God gives new warmth and light that brings forth new life from the ground.  

Birds also respond to the warmth and long days by filling the air with their songs again. I always enjoy and rejoice with their singing. There is no sweeter melody.

A Picture of God’s Faithfulness    

            Spring follows winter as a picture and reminder of God’s faithfulness. And even though winter sometimes lasts a little longer than we want it to, spring still comes.   Sometimes our troubles last longer than we want or God doesn’t answer our prayers in the way we had hoped. But nevertheless, He stays faithful to us. Just like we can count on the spring to follow the winter, we can count on God’s faithfulness to us.

Inside an apple blossom.

            Is it a coincidence that the Resurrection took place in the spring? Our theology says that God specifically chose the Passover Season because Jesus is the ultimate Passover Lamb, but it was God who chose to put Passover in spring. Martin Luther wrote, “Our Lord has written the promise of the resurrection, not in books alone, but in every leaf in springtime.”

Jesus the Resurrection

          Spring shows God’s faithfulness to you and me. For Christians it acts as a reminder that Christ brings new life. Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this? (John 11:25-26)”

Plants display the newness of life in many ways during spring. One way is by bearing flowers that will bring forth fruit like this wild strawberry blossom. Spring is a picture of God’s promises. Martin Luther wrote, “Our Lord has written the promise of the resurrection, not in books alone, but in every leaf in springtime.”

          When a heart appears dead and barren, God can bring forth new life through the power of Jesus Christ. When you seek God and turn from your own ways, He will make a new life in you and your heart will sing like the birds in springtime.