Spring Insights

Through the eyes of a little boy first discovering the wonder of flowers, I enjoyed my tulips one petal at a time this year. I have a renewed appreciation for many little things now because I see them in a new light, slowing down and examining them with a child seeing them for the first time.

Studying God's Word is often like that. The verses we've heard so many times and have come to take for granted can suddenly have new meaning when we go back and examine them as though we were seeing them for the first time. God has a way of revealing new insights to us as we are ready for them and need them in our lives. The Bible is timeless in its instruction and inspiration, and reading it once from cover to cover does not even begin to touch on the wealth found within its pages. We must return again and again to each verse and watch it unfold as we grow in faith and spiritual maturity.

Hebrews 5:11-14 speaks of spiritual maturity and the process of advancing from the milk to the solid food of the truth in God's Word. As new Christians we are able to comprehend only the basic truths, but through the experience and application of strengthened faith, we progress in our understanding.

Are our daily Bible studies more RITUAL than SPIRITUAL? Let's take a fresh look at each verse, and ask God to show us the beauty there. Let's not take those familiar words at face value, but from the milk to the meat.

From April 8, 1986

Springing up

Wake Robin Trillium, pastel 2004

March is here and spring is just around the corner. If we pay close attention to the world around us, we can already see evidence of spring's approach. The tulips and daffodils are well above the ground. The robins are talking about their new homes, and the air itself bears the scent of fresh life growing.

I'm always amazed when I see the first green tips of tulips poke up out of the earth, for often they do so when snow still blankets the yard. The birds usually surprise me each year also, because those who are returning from their winter vacations seem to do so when I'm still shivering from the cold. I usually am concerned about the dogwoods and other budding trees and bushes, because they sometimes seem to jump the gun on spring. I always wonder how they can be so brave when snow is still falling and the temperature is below freezing. They obviously are relying on a greater source of information.

That's faith. "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." (Hebrews 11:1) It's pushing our heads up through the frozen ground in preparation for a warmer day that we know is coming. It's searching for a nesting place when the wind is still bitter cold. Faith is putting forth the bud while the snow is still falling. Nature is an example for us in springtime.

"See! The winter is past. The rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come. The cooing of the doves is heard in our land. The fig tree forms its early fruit; the blossoming vines spread their fragrance...." Song of Solomon 2:11-13

From March 4, 1986

Faith

Faith is being sure of what we hope for
and certain of what we do not see.
This is what the ancients were commended for--
they lived faithfully.
By faith, we know that God spoke the world
into being.
It was not formed from what existed then
or what we now are seeing.
By faith, Abel offered God a sacrifice
that was better than that of his brother, Cain.
By faith, he was a righteous man;
his faith still speaks long after he was slain.
By faith, Enoch was taken from this life,
and he did not have to die.
He was not found, because God took him.
He was found pleasing in God's eyes.
Without faith, we cannot please God;
when we come to Him, we must believe:
we must believe that He exists
and that those who seek Him, rewards receive.
By faith, Noah built a ark
when warned about unseen things;
the world was condemned, his family was saved
by the righteousness that faith brings.

Hebrews 11:1-7

These are only a few of the examples of faith given in Hebrews 11. This is a wonderful chapter to read when we feel our faith is small. It shows how faith in God worked in the lives of people throughout biblical history. Faith is the same today, and God is the same today. Through our faith, God can transform our lives!

From October 15, 1985

Evidence of God

I have not seen His face,
but have I seen evidence of its radiance?
Perhaps I have seen it in the sunshine
that bathes the day and warms the rich earth
and reflects in its waters.
I have not felt the comfort of His touch,
or have I...
in the cleansing rain, the gentle breeze,
the caress of snowflakes?
I have not heard His voice, unless it sounds like
the whisper of wind in the leaves,
the chuckle and rush of mountain streams,
and the sternness of thunder.
How do I know He lives?
He has smiled upon me.
He has touched my heart.
He speaks to me.

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."
-Hebrews 11:1

From February 1, 1983