“Having a Spring-time Faith”
Read: Psalm 104
Some time ago, while I was still in high school, our teacher led the class in a discussion about “which is your favorite month of the year?” For many in the class, their favorite month was the month of March. The reasons given – the end of the winter cold, spring flowers, warmer weather are the ones that I recall. I cannot say as I heard anyone proclaiming that March also brought melting snow, cold rains, or mud. It seems that we were more willing to focus upon the benefits of March (and the promise of springtime that comes with it) and ignore, or at least endure, the products of change that March brings.
For others in the class, October was their favorite month. The reasons? Autumn days, apple cider, fall football, the smell and colors of autumn were loudly proclaimed. Others would counter that although fall was beautiful with its fall colors and all, it also ushered in a long, cold winter. The advice from the “October Camp?” “Forget about the winter that was coming and enjoy the day!”
Today, we as a church (and maybe as a city and a nation) need to “wrestle” with this same type of dilemma. The dilemma? Are we to revel and enjoy the present and not concern ourselves with what may lie ahead (like our “October Camp” from my high school discussion)? Or do we confront that which lies ahead, agree to endure that which is required to change and seek the promise of a “springtime” blessing from God?
As you read this, we are journeying through the Lenten Season – a time of personal reflection. Lent is a time to review our current reality, make adjustments and changes with expectations of a deeper, more meaningful relationship with God. The season of Lent is much like the month of March – a season of change and the expectation for brighter tomorrows.
The second date, March 20th – the first day of spring! The promise of spring will soon be fulfilled! And what does this have to do with the challenges that we face? Just as we must endure the melting snow, cold rains, and mud of March before we can realize the promise of spring, we must also endure the cold reality of that which we face as we look forward to the promise of God. We must endure the challenges while we wait with expectation of the promise that the Lord of the Harvest has waiting for us. Before we see blossoms of new ministries and blooms of new people coming into a relationship with the Risen Lord, we will face trials. But through all that we may face, let us remember God’s promise for us: “God will be our God and we will be God’s people!”
In closing, may I remind each of you that God is the God that keeps His promises. And may the promise of a “spring-time faith” fill you with anticipation.
Rev. Dr. Ray McGee
Read: Psalm 104
Some time ago, while I was still in high school, our teacher led the class in a discussion about “which is your favorite month of the year?” For many in the class, their favorite month was the month of March. The reasons given – the end of the winter cold, spring flowers, warmer weather are the ones that I recall. I cannot say as I heard anyone proclaiming that March also brought melting snow, cold rains, or mud. It seems that we were more willing to focus upon the benefits of March (and the promise of springtime that comes with it) and ignore, or at least endure, the products of change that March brings.
For others in the class, October was their favorite month. The reasons? Autumn days, apple cider, fall football, the smell and colors of autumn were loudly proclaimed. Others would counter that although fall was beautiful with its fall colors and all, it also ushered in a long, cold winter. The advice from the “October Camp?” “Forget about the winter that was coming and enjoy the day!”
Today, we as a church (and maybe as a city and a nation) need to “wrestle” with this same type of dilemma. The dilemma? Are we to revel and enjoy the present and not concern ourselves with what may lie ahead (like our “October Camp” from my high school discussion)? Or do we confront that which lies ahead, agree to endure that which is required to change and seek the promise of a “springtime” blessing from God?
As you read this, we are journeying through the Lenten Season – a time of personal reflection. Lent is a time to review our current reality, make adjustments and changes with expectations of a deeper, more meaningful relationship with God. The season of Lent is much like the month of March – a season of change and the expectation for brighter tomorrows.
The second date, March 20th – the first day of spring! The promise of spring will soon be fulfilled! And what does this have to do with the challenges that we face? Just as we must endure the melting snow, cold rains, and mud of March before we can realize the promise of spring, we must also endure the cold reality of that which we face as we look forward to the promise of God. We must endure the challenges while we wait with expectation of the promise that the Lord of the Harvest has waiting for us. Before we see blossoms of new ministries and blooms of new people coming into a relationship with the Risen Lord, we will face trials. But through all that we may face, let us remember God’s promise for us: “God will be our God and we will be God’s people!”
In closing, may I remind each of you that God is the God that keeps His promises. And may the promise of a “spring-time faith” fill you with anticipation.
Rev. Dr. Ray McGee
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