Finally, some warm weather! It seems like we’ve been under a long winter’s spell from a white witch but now we’ve finally been set free by… a sunny lion, I guess? This analogy is not very good.
Spring has this way of bringing out newness or fresh starts in people. The onset of the warmer weather and the departure of the paralyzing cold remind us that we’ve got things to do this year! Time to start doing some yard work. Time to get outside. Time to get ready for the summer beach season. Time to order allergy medicine. In reality, maybe Spring is when we should actually make our New Year’s resolutions since it ties in so well with this idea of new beginnings. Also, I’m pretty sure that about 99% of us have already given up on our original January 1 resolutions anyway… don’t worry, I’m not judging you – my own claim that 2014 would be the year of eating better has been pushed to a yet-to-be determined time.
And why shouldn’t we be focused on making changes anew? Spring is the perfect time to remind us of new life. As all the snow melts away to uncover the hidden green, and trees start to bear colorful leaves instead of dry cracked branches, we are reminded that even with death, there is always new life being born again.
In the same way, Spring is when we celebrate Easter. Can there be a more synonymous season for the Resurrection of Jesus Christ? For us, Jesus’ resurrection symbolizes not only our death to sin but also our new life in Christ. In fact, not only during Spring or this Easter season, but every day, we need to remind ourselves of this fact. Every day, we should wake up and commit to the Lord to die to ourselves today that we may live a new kingdom life by the power of the cross. And Jesus never says, “too bad, you had your chance and you blew it.” With Jesus, the invitation is always open and His grace is always enough.
So whatever our resolutions were, even if they have died, now is the time to resurrect them. It’s not too late to go to the gym or read more or whatever else you may have resolved to do in 2014. And it’s certainly not too late to start the M’Cheyne Bible reading plan that we go through together as a church or commit to a daily prayer schedule. Wherever we are at, Jesus always gives us the opportunity to come back to him again. Even now, if there’s a tugging at our hearts or a small desire to recommit some portion of our lives to the Lord, let’s embrace the thawing today. Spring is here!
From Pastor David’s Heart
April 13, 2014