Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Spring's Promise

I was talking the other day to a person who grew up in Minot Minnesota, and they were raving about how different and how beautiful the weather is "down south", especially in the spring. This conversation set my thoughts in motion reflecting on just how blessed we are to live in such a beautiful area of the world. Now in spite of the fact that I often struggle with allergies and sinus trouble during the frequent seasonal transitions, I am constantly awed by what beautiful springs we have enjoyed here in the Arkansas. The abundance of blooming azaleas, the lush forests of hardwoods and pines, the dogwoods, Bradford pear trees and rose bushes always seems to catch me off guard – even though it happens every year! But what a faithful reward for enduring the winter … the promise of Spring.

God has promised each of us as His children many things. His Word is filled with them … assurances of His faithfulness, His justice and His amazing love – just to name a few! Those promises are true and we can stand on them without falling. But perhaps He has placed a dream in your heart; something He has promised to do in and through your life. What do you do when winter comes and the dream seems to fade or to die? If you're like me, you can easily begin to wonder if it was just your imagination or perhaps just a pipe dream, and you begin to doubt if it will ever really happen?

Even though we may doubt these things in our life's 'winters', God's promise is a promise.While we may not see anything happening. God's work is rooting, growing & being cultivated just under the surface, ready to burst forth in bloom at the changing of the season. John 12:24 says, "I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest." That is some promise! If we will trust in God even when it seems that our dreams have been allowed to 'die', not only may God bring it to life at the appropriate time, but it will flourish!

So be encouraged & have faith! Dream BIG dreams for God! May the soil of our hearts be enriched with His love and may our faith grow in the darkness of our winter's as we wait on His promise to break forth like Spring!
May you be blessed as you dare to dream,
Pastor Jeff