Whites, yellows and purples brighten the still cool earth as spring flowers herald the change of season. As the days become longer and the evenings lighter, our hearts and spirits often respond with feelings of lightness, too, as we start to see an end to the cold, grey days of autumn and winter.
My heart lightens and soars with the onset of colour in creation, as the bare blackthorn blossoms with exuberant tiny white froths of flowers that usher in the onset of other unfurling blooms. Primroses peep from grassy hedgerows whilst daffodils dance in their yellow array, hyacinths bloom, and tulips tentatively wait in bud, for warmer days. These plants have always been there, hidden throughout the winter days, ready to burst forth when the warmth of spring calls them into being. Spring reminds us that God is always working beneath the surface, and that, like nature, we too, have seasons of fallowness, hidden growth, and short seasons of beautiful blossoming.
I wonder what lightens your heart?
I wonder how you long for God to lighten your heart this season?
We all carry so much. Responsibilities and cares can often weigh us down. Excess possessions, and things we have kept “in case” can all add to the overwhelm. Maybe this spring, it’s time to spring- clean both our homes and our hearts; to lay down our burdens and audit what we have been carrying with us. Jesus encourages us to live lightly, trusting Him with the burden of our lives; to yoke ourselves with Him so he can help carry the load.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” Matthew 11: 28
“For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11: 29-30
Spring flowers can only emerge from tight buds, as they gradually unfurl to open in the warming spring light of the sun. Likewise, our hands, when uncertain of the future, are likely to grasp tightly all that we are afraid to lose. Yet, when we loosen our grip, trusting in the provision of God, our hands held open before Him, then we can be ready to receive all that He may have to gift to us anew in this new season.
I wonder what you might be gripping tightly this season, and what might happen if you loosen your grip, ready to unfurl and bloom, surrendering to the light of the Son?
As daylight increases inexorably each day, we see things more clearly- the sunlight shining into the corners of our homes we had previously through clean in the grey days of winter highlight the dust and debris. When we shine the light of God’s Word into our daily lives, it too, can bring clarity and light into the dark recesses of our minds.
“Your Word is a lamp for my feet, a light for my path.” Psalm 119: 105
It’s the start of a new season, and so perhaps the onset of spring could be a reminder to begin a new season of our own, looking to the light of Christ to gradually green and grow and unfurl our winter weary soul, trusting in His provision for us.
So, this Spring may your heart feel lighter, your burdens lifted, your hands open, and your mind illuminated by God’s grace. Amen
