Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow this year. And while the winter may have lasted a bit longer the good news remains, seasons change. The cold of winter melts away to reveal the beauty of new life. Bright green, pink, white, yellow, and blue replace the gray tones that filled our view. The sounds of spring croak, trickle, and tweet the morning song of hope and joy. The smell of sunshine, grass, and flowers invigorate us. Philosopher Bernard Williams said, “The day the Lord created hope was the day he created spring.” Amen!
While winter closes in around us, spring draws us out of hibernation. There is a collective deep inhale and stretch of freedom that spans plant, animal, and human. In nature, spring is the time to come out of hiding. The time when plants push up and out of the dirt to find the sun and blossom with new life. Animals look for food and babies are born. And people, well, according to scripture, spring is the time when kings go off to war. (2 Samuel 11:1; 1 Chronicles 20:1)
Both physically and spiritually spring is the time to get back out there and do. New opportunities arise and we are graced to go after them. In fact, it’s what we are supposed to do. King David knew that part of his role as king was to go out in the spring. It was time to scout and concur. It’s what he always did. Until the time he didn’t. That fateful year he stayed back and sent someone else. That’s when things went downhill. He should have been on assignment rather than up on that roof. The grace was to go. He chose to stay.
During a spiritual winter, we are invited to rest. To sit in the presence and protection of our loving Father as we often work through things like exhaustion, hurt, disappointment, change, or feeling isolated and even distant from God. Spiritual seasons aren’t limited to a three month cycle. For me, my most recent winter lasted over a year.When the frost begins to thaw, with joy the King leads us out. We do well to follow and pay attention.
Spring comes with an invitation from the king. A special guided tour of the emergence of new life. The Lord wants to lead you out into the beauty. He wants to show you what was happening while you were hibernating. He was at work and this is the time for him to reveal the splendor of his good work.
There is an abundance that comes with spring. Beauty and possibility are everywhere. It can be overwhelming and even jarring to a system that has been in hibernation. As we take it all in we must trust the wisdom and leading of the King. Just like a fruit tree, not every blossom, or new opportunity, leads to fruit. Spring is a time to observe and cultivate with careful intention.
Where is the joy in spring? It may seem to be a redundant question, but it’s important to know where to look. With the opulence It’s easy to say, everywhere. But we are too often tempted to look at the bright shiny things and call it joy. Yes, there is great joy in new blooms, fresh air, and signs of growth, however, real joy is found in Jesus. The lasting joy of spring is found in the eyes of the king who leads us with love in to his perfect joy.
“The one I love calls to me: Arise, my dearest. Hurry, my darling. Come away with me! I have come as you have asked to draw you to my heart and lead you out. For now is the time, my beautiful one. The season has changed, the bondage of your barren winter has ended, and the season of hiding is over and gone. The rains have soaked the earth and left it bright with blossoming flowers. The season for singing and pruning the vines has arrived. I hear the cooing of doves in our land, filling the air with songs to awaken you and guide you forth.”
Song of Songs 2:10-12 TPT