SIGNS OF SPRING

Scripture Reading:  Matthew 24:6-35

 

“Spring is in the air.” Really?!? It snowed this week, the wind is bitter-cold, snow squalls are predicted once more. It seems like winter wants to hang around indefinitely. Will spring ever come?  In my funk about our seeming perpetual winter, a voice within encourages, “Look at the trees, check out the flowers.”  Buds are beginning to appear, green foliage has pushed up from the ground, and many spring flowers have bloomed.  Yes, though winter still has us in its grip, there are signs that spring is just around the corner. 

 

Jesus used such as analogy in talking to his disciples about the end times and his eventual return. “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its young shoots become tender, and it puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near; so you, too, when you see all these things [taking place], know for certain that He is near, right at the door (Matthew 24:32-33, AMP).”  What things would signal Christ’s return?  We’ve heard these before: “wars and rumors of wars, famines, earthquakes, persecution of believers, increasing wickedness (Mt 24: 6-9),” …and are we not seeing these things taking place in our world today?  He is right at the door.

 

When I think about Jesus’ return, I must admit I wonder how we will know for sure it is He who has come. Jesus warns us to not listen to people who try to convince us that Christ has returned (vs 23, 26). There will be plenty of false prophets and “Messiahs.”  It helped me to read verse 27 of Matthew 24: “For as the lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.” We won’t have to go looking for him among the counterfeit.  He will come swiftly and suddenly – like lightning – to be seen and known by all!

 

 

The promise of spring is sure – we have come to rely on the signs, and we look forward to its coming, especially after a hard winter.  Just so, we have heard Jesus’ words about his return. We see the signs, his promise is sure.  He has told us that heaven and earth as we know it, will pass away, but “[his] words will never pass away.” We look forward to his coming, especially so after all the hardships of this life.

 

Dear, Jesus, thank you for the sure promise we have as your children that you will be returning soon.  Thank you, too, that we can rely on your words – they will remain faithful and true.  Come Lord Jesus, Come quickly!  Amen.

How does your garden grow?

One of the things I look forward to doing once the long winter months are behind me is gardening. To get outdoors in the spring, into the warm sunshine and play around in the dirt, is a most fulfilling experience. I will spend February pouring over gardening magazines, dreaming about everything I am going to do once I can get outside.

Gardens are peaceful and refreshing. It isn't so much the growing food, although I love a homegrown tomato, but the feeling of being close to nature. The year I spent all alone in the North woods of WI will forever be part of the sweet memories I take with me into my future.

Genesis 3:17 (NIV)
To Adam he said, "Because you listened to your wife and ate from the tree about which I commanded you, 'You must not eat of it,' "Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life. 

Gardens also bring with it a negative faction, weeds. Weeds have a way of creeping into your flower beds and if not monitored will overtake them, strangling the beauty. It is necessary to stay on top of these things.

There are many life lessons in the act of gardening. If it weren't for the sin of Adam and Eve, there would be no weeds.  Weeds are like sin, they make a perfect scenario flawed and defective. They turn a pristine landscape into a ravaged. What once was meant as a Heavenly home for Adam and Eve was turned into a land where work and pain and tears resided and death made an appearance.

Just like winter comes to an end and springs surfaces to bring new life and warmth, so too will sin come to an end. Jesus made all the difference. The weeds of sin and destruction have met their match and one day the garden will once again be free from unwanted vegetation.  Until then, we must stay on top of things and keep close to God. Pull any sinful weeds from our lives and plant goodness and love in their place.

Genesis 3:13-24

A Spring Experience

This is the day the LORD has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it...Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever." (Psalm 118:24,29)

After a particularly long winter, the first day we walk outside and breathe in spring air, we might actually say, "This is the day the LORD has made, let us rejoice..."  I know I think these words if I don't say them out loud.

When we work our way through a winter season, one with lots of pain and heartache, we often ask ourselves, "Will we ever smile again?"  It is the spring sunshine that brings new hope to us.  It is the colorful landscape which fills us with fresh feelings laced with peace.

As we approach Holy Week, we often think on a deeper level, all Jesus has done for us.  Even when we just experienced an intense winter, the thought of Jesus on the other side of this season, helps us to "Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good." Contemplating the happenings of Holy Week starting with the joyous celebration on Palm Sunday we are mindful of pain and suffering.

I prepare to travel in my mind, the dark road to the Cross, memories of years gone by surface and I am reminded of the many Lenten and Easter Seasons observed with my husband.  I reflect on the fun we had hiding Easter baskets and the family dinners shared on Easter Sunday.  They all mean something different now. When I attend worship service on Easter Sunday, the experience is different and meaningful in a brand new way.

I know that my Savior, who made the ultimate sacrifice for me, also made that sacrifice for my husband and I am assured that I will see him again.  The Good News doesn't get any better than that for me!  Alleluia!

Psalm 118:19-29