Becoming Springtime

The warm, clear air is like a deep breath for my soul. Sunshine is wrapping its welcoming arms around me and whispering new hope of spring in my ear. Spring is rest for tired winter souls and new life for the cracked and barren places of the heart. Spring is a healing balm, green shoot bursting forth from rock and crag. Spring is laughter and joy right where we are in this moment. Spring is unshakeable peace and dauntless hope.

I think that I'm supposed to learn to become like springtime, bringing renewal and restoration to places that are dry and thirsty, crying out for nourishment. I'm choking on a flood of tears because it's so hard to be springtime in a land of stubborn resistance. I'm so rarely unshakeable peace and dauntless hope met by determined joy. How can I be springtime when my soul feels like winter? 

A smile is spreading across my face as the warm breeze of my Savior's love whispers to my soul - "I already have." The answer is, always has been, Jesus. Striving won't bring springtime presence, but only a child-heart rooted deeply in the love of the Father. What can shake me when my reality is Christ, the firm and secure knowledge that I am a redeemed co-heir and that I did NOTHING TO DESERVE THAT KIND OF LOVE?

This land where I'm planted is my Father's farmland, and Christ has called me to till it, to work the soil and tend to fragile shoots - uprooting, weeding, working hard for the good of this city. Oh, show me - wretched sinner though I am, Your power is greater and You are so worthy. Sweep me up in the ocean-waves of Your love. Show me how to be like springtime.