Hello Spring

Spring Equinox 2018 in Northern Hemisphere was at 12:15pm on

March 20th, 2018.

Hello, Spring. It's been a while since we have kept each other company.

What comes to mind when the word spring is mentioned? Maybe you think of growth, colors, Easter, warmth creeping in, end of school, pollen? Maybe you view spring as a relief? Sometimes a change of season can bring about a hope for new, excitement for what's next.

Scotty McCreery, a well known artist, just came out with a new album. As I was listening through it the other day I came across a song about seasons.

"Seasons change Turning a new leaf, rolling up my sleeves Sitting on G, waiting on O Now the sun's out baby I'm ready to roll Wintertime, springtime, summertime, fall Good times, bad times, been through them all Just when you think you can't make it through the rain Your seasons change"

Sometimes a new season, especially spring, can bring comfort.Throughout environmental seasons in our lives we also go through personal seasons. Sometimes these seasons are positive, encouraging, easy even maybe; but sometimes they are hard, treacherous, and ugly. We tend to "sit on G and wait for O," when the ugly seasons are present. Quite recently I have noticed through God's word, spiritual support, and personal seasons that it makes a big difference to find the beauty in the season you are in. Going through ugly and treacherous seasons are hard and it's tempting to be passive and desire to wait for the next season; but seasons like this are what create depth, strength, opportunities for more than just surface.

I love gardening. Currently, my garden contains radishes. The others will be planted soon!

This little radish right here is so cute, but throughout its germination and growth period its roots were created. The roots of a radish keep it in the ground and soaks up the nutrients! This is key because when we go through the ugly and treacherous seasons God's word, fellow believers, and God himself keep us rooted in him and soaking up his wonder. Through this we obtain the depth, strength, and opportunities for more than just surface things.

The thing is, it's our choice.

Just the other day when the season felt ugly my close friend Nicole texted me:

"I am praying for you

to let the peace of God fill you

through and through;

that you make the hard choice

to move further into intimacy with the essence of God."

This is what makes our roots strong; when we choose. Choosing to move further into intimacy with the essence of God, even when its ugly and treacherous. Spring is an environmental season for growth, but every season in our life is a season for spiritual growth.

Hillsong Y&F wrote a song called P E A C E, and verse two is a beautiful picture of intimacy with the essence of God when things are trying:

"You will stay true

Even in the chaos

Your Word remains truth

Even when my mind wreaks havoc

I will be still for I’ve known all along

My Jehovah Shalom"

We don't always have to suffer though. Christ is so powerful! As we grow in him there is peace, hope, truth, a full embrace and so much more. Even in the darkness the light shines, when the light is present we grow, just like the little radish.

Just like spring, Lamentations 3:22-24 gives us perspective and growth in any season; good or bad.

"The steadfast love of the Lord NEVER ceases,

his mercies never come to an end;

they are new every morning; GREAT is your faithfulness.

'The Lord is my PORTION', says my soul,

'therefore I will HOPE in him.''"

Spring is beautiful, fresh, and continues each year. Little radishes grow in light and at the same time soak up the rain and use it for good. But they don't just keep it to themselves, their seeds can spread. In choosing Christ no matter the season we are soaking up the beauty of him and understanding true life. As we choose this we ought to share the truth of it with others.

May we all desire and choose to grow deeper into the intimacy with the almighty God and share it with those around us!