Spring has sprung. Or…at least (according to the weathermen) it’s near.

Judging by today’s temperature, it’s still a long ways off. I hope not. I did a fairly impromptu (unscientific) survey the other night and asked the team leaders here at New Anthem what they were most excited for, and nearly every one of them said, “Spring.”

I concur.

Spring is exciting. It’s a milestone. It signals a change in season. It brings fresh air, sunshine, and new life—both literally in the plants and figuratively in our spirits. There’s something supernatural about the change from winter to spring. Aside from baseball, hiking, and fishing, we can put our kids outside! Praise, Jesus! There’s no sweeter words to a parent’s lips then, “Just go outside. I don’t care what you do, just get out of here and don’t come back until the streetlight comes on.”

I don’t know if that’s still protocol, but it was when I was a kid. Now along with that, this year, I’m excited for honey bees. My wife and I are trying our hand at honey production and pollinating our fruit trees and vegetable garden, so we’ll see what comes of it (I don’t know if you’ve seen the movie, “Pure Luck”, but let’s hope I’m not like Martin Short!).

Now my point in reminding you of this is two-fold. First, we have no greater example of new life than Jesus. Three days after His murder, He walked out of the grave and, because of it, promised us new life. Ephesians 2:4-5 reads, But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, ⁵ that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)

So there’s that.

But secondly, as I was preparing for First Wednesday, I read Deuteronomy 32:2 which says, Let my teaching fall on you like rain; let my speech settle like dew. Let my words fall like rain on tender grass, like gentle showers on young plants.

What a perfect spring passage. I don’t know what the author means by “tender grass.” Our grass here in Kansas is razor sharp after this drought we’ve had, but I do know what he means when he writes about young plants. I’ve tried to start a few plants inside this year, and one of the things I’ve read to do when you water is use a spray bottle. I imagine it’s what he means by “Gentle showers on young plants.” You see, when plants are inside you run the risk of overwatering them and causing mold among other things.

In fact, you have to trim some of the plants because they can become too top heavy, and since they have no root structure they can fall over. In the same way, God’s words are meant to help you grow. They’re meant to bring you into fullness of life. Sometimes he’ll need to trim some of your excess, but it’s meant for your good. 

So in this spring season, let me just encourage you: Fall in love with God’s Word. Let it transform your heart and your life. Let it nourish you in to a well watered vine that brings forth fruit in its due season. And above all, enjoy this journey that we’re all on together.