Promises of Spring
“Not that I have already obtained this or have already reached the goal; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Beloved, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but this one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead.”
Philippians 3:12-13
Spring is most definitely upon us and the promise of longer days and long vacations awaits. As we emerge from our wintertime (which still closely resembles a British summer!), we watch trees gain new leaves, starting in that bright chartreuse before deepening to leafy green. The magnolias have flowered and are slowly being replaced by their deep foliage, and in England, daffodils and primroses abound on every hillside, and brand new lambs are bouncing through the fields.
I love that in the northern hemisphere we find Eastertide in this season of new beginnings. I have always found that after a winter of sedate evenings with an early sunset time, I feel as though I have more time for reflection, so by the time the clocks change, and spring is upon us, I am ready for a new start. The Easter message would remind us that death is conquered, that our loving Savior handles our sin and shame, and that we are once again free.
Even when life is hard -- in seasons of great sacrifice or maybe great shame -- there is so much work still to do for the Kingdom, so much joy to be experienced, so much hope to be found in our life on earth and in the life to come.
What is it you need to leave behind today? Where do you need to commit your past into the hands of God, that you would have space, time and energy to begin to hold instead all the things He has for you in the future?
A prayer
Loving God, help us to trust you with our past. Help us to know that we are people that are loved, free and forgiven. Teach us to be more like Paul – letting go of what has passed, that we may be able to see the promise of all that is yet ahead.
Amen.
