Spring Is Here

Spring has sprung! If you can see through the yellow fog of pollen that turns every car in Georgia into a yellow-green neon color, you will see that spring is upon us. The flowers are coming in full color. The azaleas are blooming in beauty. The trees are budding. And, the Masters golf tournament is teeing off in Augusta. The wonderful season of Spring is here.

Spring ushers in the green that starts to crowd out the drab brown. Spring brings warmer temperatures that make the outdoors even more inviting. Spring amplifies the chirping of the birds. Spring resurrects all of nature around us that the cold, dreary winter has thrust upon the world. Spring brings the cycle of new life.

Plus, Spring teaches us an important lesson about how trustworthy God is. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says: “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you – you of little faith? So do not worry saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them” (Matthew 6:28-34, NIV). Let us allow the blossoms of Spring teach us about the goodness of God.

Notice the detail and beauty that God puts into the world around us. Flowers come in every shade of spectacular colors. Grass grows lush and thick to cover the ground. Animals scurry and playfully dart as they prepare for welcoming their next generation. How does all of this happen? Or better, who makes all of this happen?

In the above verses, Jesus said that God does. “If that is how God clothes” were His words. If God can make all of this happen each Spring, will He not also take at least that much care with you? In the beauty of the blooms, let us remember that God is even more diligent in caring for us.

Is your faith wavering? Are you worried about how you are going to make it? Are the struggles and difficulties of life becoming more than you can bear? Rather than worrying, take a walk among the natural wonders around you of flowers and bees, trees and squirrels, grass and sunshine. The walk will cost you nothing but will remind your soul of the faithfulness of God.

While you are walking, you might also want to do some praying. Your prayer may sound something like this: “Father, I see around me the overwhelming evidence of Your promise of provision. I want to trust You rather than worry. Help me to see Your goodness in the coming-to life world around me. Amen.”