With the disappearance of winter and arrival of spring, change is obvious. The snow melts completely, bright green blades of grass pop up in the lawn and a robust variety of our feathered friends return. As believers and just people in general, we change as well.
My shoulders relax as the days lengthen, the sun becomes hotter and wearing hoodies, thermal snow pants and winter boots come to an end. I’m easily overwhelmed and joy-filled by the sights and sounds that indicate spring is finally here.
Anticipation of the physical transformation behind spring calls to mind an important question: Am I changing spiritually? That kind of shift may not be easily perceived and I have to be intentional about taking an inventory of my faith journey with the Lord.
Sometimes, my daily devotion to God can become dry, even parched, in some areas. I can get discouraged by my sin and the war I know needs to be waged against my flesh in order to keep on track with this race I’m running for the eternal crown. It’s in that fight where I fail to recognize any significant change.
Then, I’m met with verses like today’s and God’s promises set the stage as a reminder of the reality I need to keep fixed upon. That, as much as my life may be a race, it’s a marathon not a sprint. That as I step into each day, I’m choosing to live for and follow God, trusting him in every moment, and the more consistent I am in selecting that path, the greater the opportunity for change.
It may happen in small increments or large chunks, but God is creating change in me and you. Through sharing your testimony, joining a Bible study for the first time or participating in a church retreat, God is remodeling you from the inside out. He’s ‘doing a new thing’ that ‘springs up’ (Isaiah 43:19).
So, even though we are being changed on a daily basis without realizing it, we can fully rejoice in the most glorious metamorphosis that took place when we received Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Especially during this Easter season as we say with grateful hearts, “Christ is risen! He has risen indeed!”
Father God, it’s not always easy to be aware of the change you are doing in me as I follow you. At times, it can be disheartening but your promises take away my incorrect perceptions because you want to do a great change within me and I desire to be transformed, for your glory. Help me be more aware of those changes as I celebrate this season of Christ’s victory over the grave. In Jesus’s name I pray, Amen.
Throughout this day: God is always wanting to do a new thing within us. Remember how you began as a new believer and praise the Lord for all of the wonderful changes he’s been doing in and through you since then.
Photo Credit: Cdoncel