New Beginnings

“If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant: if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome." ― Anne Bradstreet

New Beginnings

Spring has long been considered a time of "new beginnings" to the point of becoming a cliché. However, I don't think this connection is either accidental or ignorable. As Anne Bradstreet notes, spring is a reminder of how far we've come and that the best is yet to come. Spring gives us something to look forward to, to hope for. In the same way, because of Christ we have something even bigger and better to look forward to. We can know that the best is yet to come, because Jesus has defeated sin and death and is preparing a place for those of us who believe! We can trust that He is working out even the difficult, painful struggles of our lives for our own good, as described in Romans:

"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren."

- Romans 8:28-29

Jonathan Edwards, commenting on Romans 8:28-29 writes that, "our bad things turn out for good, our good things can never be lost, and the best is yet to come." What hopeful words! Better yet, our hope is not wishful grasping at unattainable shadows - we have a sure and secure hope that God WILL accomplish what He has begun (Philippians 1:6).

Spring is a time of renewal and refreshment, paralleling a time of renewal and refreshment from God. Just like the New Year marks a time when many people look over their lives and re-evaluate their goals and priorities, Spring is a time when I like to look over my own list of goals and priorities and determine a next step. Not only that, but I like to examine my life before God and find renewal in Him. As I talked about before in All or Nothing Vs. Grace, anytime, any moment, we can turn to God and be renewed. This reminder gives me hope, knowing that I'm never too far gone, I can always turn back to God and repent, and He will have compassion on me and forgive me. God's love is unconditional, and because He is a redemptive God, He can take even my mistakes and work them out for my good.

Seasons of Life

Another impactful lesson that Spring has taught me is that just as we experience different seasons throughout the course of the year, we also experience different seasons of life (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8). One of my dear and beautiful friends helped me to learn this lesson when we were talking about spending time daily with God. I was bemoaning how I had so little time and I always felt guilty that I wasn't "spending enough time on devotions or prayer". My sweet friend listened to what I was saying, but then gently pointed out that we experience different seasons in our lives, and God understands that. The important thing is to maximize on the quality of whatever time we have, because quality is more critical than quantity. In other words, spending 5 minutes with God where you connect with Him on a deep, personal level is better than doggedly performing religious rituals (like reading the Bible by rote) for an hour. God doesn't want us to go through the motions of getting to know Him, He wants us to REALLY know Him.

"To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven..." - Ecclesiastes 3:1

This concept of "seasons" in my life has totally changed the way I view my relationships, my schoolwork, my work - basically the way I balance everything in my life! Sometimes there will be a season where I absolutely must focus on my school (finals, for example), and people can get a bit neglected, but I remind myself that it's only temporary. Sometimes there are seasons in my life where things are very difficult and overwhelming, like when I have car, school, health, and work troubles all pile up for a week or so. Pain is only temporary, and I remind myself that I can trust that in spite of all the bad things I'm experiencing, God is still good. My bad experiences are still bad, but they are not final. God is always good in spite of my circumstances and feelings. Sometimes we are in a season of renewal and refreshment (like Spring), and sometimes everything feels like it's falling apart. A funny thing about this idea is that even Spring has different stages. There's the dead, brown, muddy, messy, melting stage, where everything seems disgusting and it's still cold and dreary. But we can't always see what's going on under the surface - the buds that are preparing to make an appearance, the grass that is rejuvenating, and the beautiful warm weather that's coming soon. Life is like that too, sometimes we can't see the beauty that's hidden under all the mess. But God can, and we can trust that He is working to redeem, because He is a redemptive, healing God.

You may be experiencing a season of grief due to the loss of a dream, the painful emptiness from the death of a loved one, or even the grief and distress of unfulfilled expectations. Ecclesiastes says that there is a time for mourning! It's necessary to experience those emotions and grieve losses to properly deal with them, as well as to know that God "walks alongside us" in our grief (2 Corinthians 1:3-5).

You may be experiencing a difficult (or even easy transition) in your life. Maybe your friends are moving into different stages in their lives and you feel left behind. Even growing up has its own seasons. Each season can be beautiful and tragic simultaneously, yet the most encouraging thing to remember is this: through each season, God remains with us and He does not change. He is still the same consistent, loving, just Father, and that will never change (Hebrews 13:8).

"Let us know; let us press on to know the Lord; His going out is sure as the dawn; He will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth.” - Hosea 6:3

♪ - listen to It's Not Over Yet by for KING & COUNTRY.