As I came to work, it was a dreary, cold, gray day. As I left to go home, the sun was out, birds were singing, and a large, pink flowering tree had suddenly exploded in vibrant color across from Christ Lutheran’s parking lot. This immediately captured all my attention. What had happened? It all seemed like Disney magic in its colorful perfection. Spring had finally arrived! (At least, nature said so.) What was once old and tired had become a new and exciting day.
Now, I realize that this wasn’t magic – the Disney kind or otherwise – but it was a kind of miracle. Throughout the winter months, the trees have been dormant. Their metabolisms, energy consumption, and growth all slowed, but they continued on. Life was waiting to burst forth anew.
As humans, we might experience similar dormant periods in our spiritual lives. Joy seems far away. Love might feel a bit colder. We can grow tired or our struggles; all the storms of life. Yet, God’s still at work. Through our faith and baptism, the Risen Christ is with us and the Spirit active. Life is waiting to burst forth in us. We only need to wait in trust, and much like springtime, abundant life surprises us when the time is right. We can never force it.
Ultimately, new life in Christ isn’t about our feelings. And certainly, winters of all sorts can fall over our lives at any time. Nevertheless, the fire of Christ always burns with love for us. He’s present within our hearts even when we forget him or our attention wanders elsewhere. Jesus always loves us, and sometimes we are blessed to notice.
With the paschal mystery before us, we remember Christ’s rising from the dead with shouts, “Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!” Yet, he is crying out to us as well. “You are loved! You are mine! You are worth dying and rising for!” The resurrection surprises us with a sudden jolt of beauty. Easter arrives to awaken us to just how much God loves us even when we might not love God. Whomever we are, God desires to bring our souls back to life. Come and walk with us this Easter. Let’s see how God surprises us all…
Originally published in the April 2019 newsletter of Christ Lutheran Church, Fredericksburg, VA.
© 2019 The Rev. Louis Florio. All content not held under another’s copyright may not be used without permission of the author.
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