Signs of spring are emerging. Green poking out of the ground. Snow turning to rain. Temperatures above freezing. Less frozen mornings. No scraping white dust from the car. 

Spring. A season of new life. Fresh growth. Trees will soon have leaves again. Colors will dot the earth at our feet. Spring. A season of hope. Resurrection. Life.

As Christians, life and resurrection mean much to us. It is because of the life, death and resurrection of Christ that we have a beautiful hope. A reason to breathe. A knowledge, a faith of better things to come. 

This season often causes us to reflect on the hope of the Resurrection of Christ. We are reminded through celebration, reading of these scriptures again and breaking bread together. Great power lives on. A hope that was left in our hearts at His ascension. 

As I see signs of spring this year I am also challenged to actually live a life of hope. Everyday. I am stirred to ask God to work new life in my heart. To help me dust off the little box labeled HOPE and open it. Letting God do a fresh work in me. 

Those things I said I was going to do years ago. The service, the gifts I was meant to share. Not only for my sake. Not only to bring fresh growth into my Christian walk but to encourage another soul. 

To let go of the dead leaves. The ones of fear, defeat, lack of faith. Let those fall. And in their place, I believe something beautiful will grow. 

The older I get the more I see the importance of obedience and walking in faith. I don’t want to live a life held back by fear. I don’t want to be an old woman with the questions of “what did I do with my life?” and “who did I really serve?” 

Take some time this spring season and ask God what “new life” He has for you. Let God open your heart and grow something new, something beautiful. 

I am excited to see where God leads us on this spring journey. 

 

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. ESV

John 20:20-22 As he spoke, he showed them the wounds in his hands and his side. They were filled with joy when they saw the Lord!  Again he said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. NLT

Luke 24:5-7 The women were terrified and bowed with their faces to the ground. Then the men asked, “Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive? He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Remember what he told you back in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and that he would rise again on the third day.” NLT

Psalm 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting. NKJV

Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. ESV