It Is Springtime!

"For Lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing has come."
                                                                                                                  Song of Solomon 2:11-12




Spring symbolizes an awakening and a newness of life. This renewal of life bursts forth from a barren ground and the harsh effects of a cold winter. As the grass and leaves deepen in their hues of green, so do the erupting buds and blooms remind us that all around us is the revival of life.

New birth and growth bring joy and hope to our lives as we drink in the rich colors and beauty that God has given to us in this season. Plans and projects that were put on hold during the dreary winter months are once again remembered as dormancy is discarded and regeneration marches forward. Preparations begin to usher in the beauty of this new season.

During this season, we remember Jesus' death and the significance of how He provided salvation for humanity. This is the appropriate time to reflect upon our calling and election and to be confident in our eternal standing with God. Just as we implement a good spring cleaning in our homes, it is even more important to allow the Holy Spirit to show us the places in our hearts and lives that need to be cleansed.

The time in which we celebrate Jesus' resurrection also coincides with the revival of life that we see in the earth. Death is replaced by life and we can tangibly see that the winter is past. Solomon speaks of the flowers that appear on the earth as early evidences that a new season is at hand. This is God's visible demonstration of His desire to bless His children.

Another obvious sign of spring that Solomon references is that the birds return after a long winter and announce their presence by bursting forth in glorious song. This springtime melody reminds us that this is a celebratory season of worship. We focus on the fact that God is doing a "new thing" and we worship Him in thanksgiving and praise.

The old is gone and the new has come. Even though pruning is required in this season, we are cognizant of the benefit of it. After the dead places are eliminated, as well as the places that are overgrown and undernourished, we understand that beauty will be its' replacement and that we will be stunned both by God's creativity and His splendor. Whatever we allow God to prune from our lives will yield a greater harvest, declaring all the more the glory of our God.

Isaiah tells us that even the desert will blossom. He says, "The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom like the rose and the autumn crocus. It shall blossom abundantly and rejoice even with joy and singing"(Isaiah 35:1-2). He goes on to say that the land can have its glory because, in actuality, it is God revealing His glory.

There are many ways that God can reveal His glory. We see it in His elevated position over the universe (Psalm 57:5). The heavens reveal God's glory (Psalm 19:2). God's saving acts towards mankind reveal His glory (Isaiah 40:5). God created us so that we would bring Him glory through our actions and honorable characteristics (Isaiah 43:7). His glory fills the earth (Habakuk 2:14). And, God's glory can be seen "like a consuming fire on top of the mountain"(Exodus 24:17). Therefore, God is the "King of glory"(Psalm 24:7-10).

If the past season you have been in seems like a dry desert, just know that there is no greater backdrop for God to reveal His glory in your life. David penned this truth when he wrote,"You visit the earth and saturate it with water; You greatly enrich it; the river of God is full of water; You provide them with grain when You have so prepared the earth. You water the field's furrows abundantly, You settle the ridges of it; You make the soil soft with showers, blessing the sprouting of its vegetation. You crown the year with Your bounty and goodness"(Psalm 65:9-11).

During this year of Jubilee, we will see showers of God's blessings. Ezekiel tells us that God says, "I will bless My people and their homes around my holy hill. And in the proper season I will send the showers they need. There will be showers of blessing"(Ezekiel 34:26).

For many in the body of Christ, this last season has been a difficult and tumultuous one. The shaking that has occurred has left many people feeling very shaken. Yet, within our grasp we still hold the key to our future and to our destiny. The book of Hebrews says, "Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe" (Hebrew 12:28). Focus on that which has not been shaken out of your life because what we still hold in our hands is what God is going to use for His glory.

As we trust Christ more and more and seek His wisdom and guidance, we will begin to see with clarity what it is that we hold in our hands. Revelation will accompany our gift and we will know that whatever it is, it will be used for our good and for His glory. If you are not certain what it is, ask God to show you what you hold and then ask Him to touch it with His resurrection power.

We will witness God birthing a new thing in our lives. He will reawaken the things that look dead or dormant. Jesus says, "See, I make all things new. And He said, 'Record this, for these sayings are faithful (accurate, incorruptible, and trustworthy) and true (genuine)'" (Revelation 21:5).

Speak blessings to those places in your life that need God's touch. Declare to the mountain of obstacles to be removed and cast into the sea (Matthew 21:21). By faith, we will jubilantly see that the season is no longer a cold and barren winter. Instead, we will see the beauty and life that can only be found in the season called Spring!


             "He sends forth springs into the valley; their waters run among the mountains."
                                                              Psalm 104:10