Spring means trees emerging from their dormancy, as well as the flowers and other blooming plant life. Up here in New England it’s a stunning display of God’s artwork. It feels like He is breathing life back into an environment that often breeds so-called “seasonal depression” (something I’ve certainly suffered over the years). We New Englanders begin spending more time outdoors as the days grow longer and the weather becomes warmer. Life is good!

It also reminds me of the word “renewal” since every year spring arrives faithfully as if to remind us of God’s handiwork.

He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power.
- Hebrews 1:3a

And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?” 
- Matthew 8:27

Praise the LORD from the earth, you great sea creatures and all deeps, fire and hail, snow and mist, stormy wind fulfilling his word!
- Psalm 148:7-8

I believe one of the most potent ways God speaks to us is through nature. We ought to embrace our time spent in it. We ought to take our time to stop and ‘smell the flowers’ as they say. We New Englanders seem to be in such a hurry all the time that we often fail to do so. What a shame.

For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made.
- Romans 1:20a

Spring represents life, itself, sprouting forth from the long, dark days of winter. Every day is a new opportunity to smile about this, turning your face up towards the sun, and then God in appreciation for life, itself, especially as a believer! People love to quip, “You know, it’s the little things in life that really matter!” And yet, too many of those same folks miss all the little blessings by never sitting still long enough to just be present and truly enjoy them (ref: Be Present Today).

God is faithful to His children. Spring reminds us that even if we’re in a rut, good “weather” is soon to follow (ref: This, Too, Shall Pass). Few tests ever last a lifetime. Usually, once we’ve passed the test, God delivers us from it. And if He doesn’t (or hasn’t yet), we must remember the words of the Apostle Paul.

So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me.

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
- 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

The hard “winters” of life always pass, followed by “springs” that renew our sense of vigor. As Solomon so wisely wrote:

For everything there is a season,

and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.
- Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Every season has a purpose in our lives. Spring, to me, is the season of renewal. It reminds me of God’s faithfulness to deliver us out of our darkest times. It’s a hope for better things to come over the horizon, while enduring the winter months, that is guaranteed because our God is faithful.

Remember my affliction and my wanderings, the wormwood and the gall! My soul continually remembers it and is bowed down within me.

But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: 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.” The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.
- Lamentations 3:19-26

Love in Christ,

Ed Collins