Renewal & Rebirth

Spring has sprung! Have you ever noticed that no matter what happened in your life over the winter, or what holiday drama ensued, spring just comes back every year like none of it matters? Spring is a time of renewal, new life, and and opportunity to fully embrace all the beauty of life......no matter what season of life you might be in. And there is no stopping it, it comes around every year, whether we're ready or not!

Spring represents an opportunity for transformation. I just heard a great teaching by Rick Warren. In it, he said "We don't sew and reap in the same season, it's always in a different season." In spring we have a chance to grow in and admire the beauty of the things we planted in our own lives in this past season. What was that for you?

My focus word last year was "transformation" and this year it is "purposeful." The two words go hand-in-hand. Last year, and particularly late in the year from fall small group season on, I have been very intently working on my intimacy with God and my bible knowledge. I've been soaking in God's presence at every opportunity. I've actively sought out teaching and ministry from a range of leaders and teachers, and also stepped out even more boldly in my own ministry. The challenges in my own life represent opportunities to grow my faith, exercise the fruits of the spirit, and look inward and upward for peace and joy. I want to purposefully abide in His presence!

Three Blossoms

Today at church, our pastor talked specifically about three essential elements to growth: intimacy with God, bible knowledge, and holy living . It resonated with me. In order to move ourselves forward on the continuum of spiritual maturity, we have to simultaneously work on all three things. My only desire for my life is to be a servant of Christ to the point that others feel His love through me. The "others" can be friends, family or complete strangers - it doesn't matter.

For me, a big part of this journey of renewal means letting go of the past season's harvest, so that new growth can begin. Recently, I've let go of people, places, and things that were important to me. It has been simultaneously joyful and painful, like a massive pruning in preparation for spring. But through it all, God showed me how to place my uncertainties about the future on His love. I want HIM above everything else, so I will go through the difficult pruning knowing there is beauty in the season ahead.

Romans 12: 2 tells us, "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." The pattern of this world is one of fear, being in control, and impatience with not knowing what lies ahead. Change, pain and suffering scare us, instead of us seeing it as an opportunity for growth. But as believers, we get to experience renewal. It's a daily process. It's also a choice.

This spring, are there areas of your life that you would like to renew? Fears for you to finally shed? A new season of life awaiting you? For me, I'm keeping my eyes on Jesus so that I can journey into the new places and seasons He has planned for me. I welcome challenges as opportunities for Him to shine his glory through. The things I want to hold tight, I'm releasing to Him, however difficult, because in the end, His way and his purpose in my life is so much better than my own.