For many of us, the older we get the less winter weather it takes to make us long for its end.
We had a fairly mild winter all things considered, but I have been ready for spring since the end of the Christmas season.
It seems that we long for spring for more than just the warmer weather. Spring also ushers in the stormy season that brings tornadoes and hail, which in many was is harsher than the blizzards of winter. Yet, we long for it. And it has always been that way.
We read in the Song of Solomon 2:11-12 ESV “for behold, the winter is past; the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth, the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land.”
Hidden underneath the expressions is a hope and a joy that comes with the season of renewal. And this was written thousands of years ago.
Mankind has always had an affinity for Spring.
Soon, everything will begin to green up, the tulips and daffodils will begin to shoot up. Vibrant colors begin to replace the drab grays of winter. The smells that will come with the Easter lilies and then later the lilac bushes followed by the honeysuckle. I’m sure some of you have favorites that immediately make you think of the joy that comes with Spring.
With the joy of the end of winter comes the hope of Spring and the songs of the cardinals and robins. If you are a gardener then you know the hope that comes with planting. The hope of a year of abundance of flowers or crops, fruits or vegetables.
Can we take a moment and be thankful for the hope that God provides to us in this blessed season?
Listen to the praise of the Almighty in Psalm 65:9-13 ESV “You visit the earth and water it; you greatly enrich it; the river of God is full of water; you provide their grain, for so you have prepared it.
You water its furrows abundantly, settling its ridges, softening it with showers, and blessing its growth. You crown the year with your bounty; your wagon tracks overflow with abundance. The pastures of the wilderness overflow, the hills gird themselves with joy, the meadows clothe themselves with flocks, the valleys deck themselves with grain, they shout and sing together for joy.”
With all the worries of this life, and all that we could concern ourselves with, don’t forget to enjoy the blessing of Spring that the Lord will provide. You don’t have to fish to enjoy the river. You don’t have to hike to sit in the woods. We are surrounded by so much natural beauty that may get lost in the cares of this world.
God loves us and surrounds us with His creation that declares, especially in the spring, His incredible glory.
Honor Him by taking the time to admire and enjoy it, and as you commune with Him, give Him glory and praise.
Pastor Rich Cummings was called to Emmanuel Baptist Church in August 2022 and he has been a pastor since 2006. He has an MDiv from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He may be reached at rich@ebccassville. com.
