Its been a cold winter here in Chattanooga. I keep peeking out my front window to see if there are signs of spring. But, no. Just brown grass. My little flower garden is lonely and desolate. There is a longing in my heart for spring and the pleasure that it affords. Oh how I miss sitting in the front yard, a glass of sweet tea in hand, watching my children and the flowers grow, while warm evening breezes caress all of the living things…
For now, its still winter.
As much as I long for spring, here in Chattanooga – even more I long for renewed spiritual life in my heart and here on the earth. I wait for warm breezes of the Holy Spirit to blow life into my soul – I long to feel His presence more deeply, more intensely, so that all of me is swept away and all that is left is Him. My life, completely enfolded, surrounded, encompassed by Him.
So, what I’m about to tell you will seem strange, but please come along with me. Humor me, if you will. I’ve realized that its possible I’m dying. In fact I’m sure of it. Initially it seems to be the exact opposite of the new life I’ve been hoping for.
Let me explain. I’ve recently had experiences that should have phased me. They should have turned me inside out, upside down and disrupted any life I currently hold on to. But they didn’t. Why? It didn’t matter…. I’m dying. It may not be true in every case – but in these instances I found it easy to let go. In fact it seemed like I couldn’t feel it – because my very life comes from Christ, my only hope. The death of my own ungodly desires seems to be the very signs of life I’ve been waiting for.
From Colossians 3:
“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your[a] life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”
This is kind of how I’m thinking of it : In the present, or the here and now, as I’m able to let go of myself and my flesh – and the sins Paul lists in chapter three that I need to irradicate – then I discover a kind of death that is the beginning of real life. But, that ultimate life, the real spring time that I’m looking for will come in the future tense when Christ returns full of glory and majesty. When that happens, the beauty of spring will be eternal. No more winter, no more sin and death! Praise God!
For now, I wait. But I am thankful as I peek into the window of my own heart, where I see signs of death, that really mean I’m alive in Christ. I look forward with hope and anticipation for the day when Jesus returns, bringing with Him a season of beauty and life that will last eternally.
daily portion 