Day 18

Springtime is the season of awakening life. From the grey and death of winter, profusions of budding blossoms begin to bloom. Landscapes become magnificently arrayed in glorious color. What once was dead is now alive. Death is necessary to bring forth a season of new life.

In nature, God provides a visual parallel to the work that He accomplishes in the lives of His children. Once separated from Him, we were dead in our trespasses and sins. His Spirit awakened our souls from the deadness of living apart from Him. We were drawn to His everlasting love and mercy that were poured out on us through the giving up of His Son upon the cross of Calvary. Jesus’ death for our sins brought forgiveness and life to us. We were dead but now we are alive through faith in Christ.

God delivered us from sin and death in order to grow us up into His image as mature children, reflecting the beauty of His holiness. Jeremiah 31:3 and 20 tell us that God draws us to Himself by His everlasting love and kindness. His heart yearns for us to know His boundless love in ever-deepening experiential ways.

Just as the spring sunshine and rain cause new life to grow upon the earth, the Son of Righteousness is the source and sustenance of our new life in Him. As a flower turns its head towards the sun, we too must choose to keep our gaze fixed upon Jesus in steadfast communion with Him. As we respond to His love, obedience to His commands waters and nourishes the garden of our lives. Budding blossoms of goodness, righteousness and truth spring forth from our lives.

All seeds must die in order to germinate and produce life. Jesus bids you to follow His example in dying to sin so that His pure life may rise up in you. Will you humbly invite the Holy Spirit to daily till the soil of your heart with the words of Christ? The Master Gardener will cultivate in you a fragrant garden of abundant fruit.

“And The Lord will continually guide you, and satisfy your desire in scorched places, and give strength to your bones; and you will be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water whose waters do not fail.”
Isaiah 58:11