hope of spring

Here in Arkansas, it's definitely not spring yet...but there are glimpses of it. The first thing you see are the jonquils, and they seem to pop up out of nowhere. They are bunched across the countryside, along back roads and creek beds, many planted by early settlers to the region and a whole lot of others that have spread through the decades along flood paths.

 

 

Then there are the frogs singing at night--not loud yet, but there, calling out with tentative voices. The chickens take notice of the days growing longer and egg production starts to pick back up. They also take notice of the green starting to sprout--oregano is a favorite.

 

But inevitably, the hint of spring is followed by another freeze. It comes almost every year, the false spring that leads to early buds on trees and the danger of frost killing off the delicate buds. I've heard people talk about how bad the false hope is, how these early nice days only serve to get their hopes up and then the winter returns to knock them back to reality.

But I've got to say, I'm thankful for these early glimpses of spring. I know the cold air will most likely return. I know we run the risk of frost damaging delicate buds on trees. But when the world around is dry and brown, I don't see the glimpses of spring as "false hope."

Can I suggest that false hope doesn't exist? Instead, all hope is tied to the same thing--the promises of God. The green sprouts, though early, point to the goodness of God and the reassurance that one season gives way to the next without fail. The glimpses of spring remind us that like all of creation, we are waiting...

"Now I’m sure of this: the sufferings we endure now are not even worth comparing to the glory that is coming and will be revealed in us. For all of creation is waiting, yearning for the time when the children of God will be revealed. You see, all of creation has collapsed into emptiness, not by its own choosing, but by God’s. Still He placed within it a deep and abiding hope that creation would one day be liberated from its slavery to corruption and experience the glorious freedom of the children of God. For we know that all creation groans in unison with birthing pains up until now. And there is more; it’s not just creation—all of us are groaning together too. Though we have already tasted the firstfruits of the Spirit, we are longing for the total redemption of our bodies that comes when our adoption as children of God is complete— for we have been saved in this hope and for this future. But hope does not involve what we already have or see. For who goes around hoping for what he already has? But if we wait expectantly for things we have never seen, then we hope with true perseverance and eager anticipation." (Romans 8:18-25)

"That hope is real and true, an anchor to steady our restless souls, a hope that leads us back behind the curtain to where God is" (Hebrews 6:19)

So when you see glimpses of spring, even if they come too early, remember that the promise will stand. Spring will come. Hope is always worth it.