The Blessings of Spring!

Richard Hollerman

I know that the calendar says that Spring is found each year from March until June. But the weather is somewhat different—with “spring-like” weather lasting longer—or shorter. (We are writing for those in the Northern hemisphere rather than in the Southern hemisphere.)

But “spring” is also a state of mind, a way of looking at life. It reveals a “newness” or a freshness that the calendar can’t erase or change. Thus “spring” can be different from what we see on our calendar. What is it to you?

When you think of the freshness of spring, what comes to your mind? When the new life “springs” forth and we find the trees becoming green again, when the white or pink blossoms cover the trees, when flowers rise from the soil to show that God has not forgotten us in this way, what do you think about? When you (or some of you) get down on your knees and plant seeds in the ground, with the hopefulness that in a few weeks you will see the fruit of your labors, what comes to mind?

I do a lot of walking each day. By God’s grace, I suppose that I walk about 3 miles a day about 5 AM which amounts to over 1,000 miles a year. I’ve noticed that in these early morning walks I hear birds chirping. I suppose that if I were a zoologist, I would be able to identify each of them. But they do “sing” in regard to finding a “mate” and building their nest. But to us, this melodious sound indicates that spring is here. God has so ordained his living creatures that we find this cheerful sound during the spring each year. I assume that this has been your experience where you live also.

I am thinking of a Biblical passage that speaks of a new beginning—one that we may call a “spring” beginning. I am referring to 2 Corinthians 5:17: “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold new things have come.” This is saying that if we are “in” Christ or in a saving relationship with Him, we are a new “creature” or a new person. The “old things” of our past life are gone and the “new things” in Christ have come.

There are many things to dwell upon at this time of the year, but one of the most important is the fact that we can be a “new creation” (Galatians 6:15b). As such, we are the “workmanship” of God, created in Christ Jesus for good works” (Ephesians 2:10). We have a “new self” (Ephesians 4:24; cf. Colossians 3:10). This “newness” comes only through Christ.

We realize that so many of the world religions can’t speak this way. Certainly the Muslims can’t—for they refuse to believe in Christ. The Hindus can’t speak this way for they are polytheists with many “gods.” The Buddhists can’t speak this way either for they are, in effect, atheists without a “god” of any kind. Even the Catholics and Orthodox can’t speak this way either for they refuse to be born again, of water and Spirit (John 1:12-13; 3:3-5; 1 Peter 1:3), choosing rather to pour water on a baby who can’t be “born again” through faith and repentance. Thus, we earnestly entreat you to come to Christ to find “new life” in Him as a “new creation.”

At this time of the year, with the newness of the greet leaves on the trees, with the newness of the multi-colored flowers at our feet, with the green grass before us, we are reminded of the fact that God calls us through the Spirit to come to Christ and find new life in Him. There is no other way!

Let this spring be a real “spring” for you—an entrance into a new life that comes to you only through Christ Jesus.