Celebrating New Life
4:43 am. The window is cracked and I can hear the sounds of baby birds chirping. It is an early alarm clock but one that puts a smile on my face. In a half foggy, semi-awake, slumber I started to think about a similar sound; the sound of little fuzzy yellow ducklings and then, of course, Easter. Easter thoughts bring me joy, so I don’t mind at all that it’s only 4:43 am. Don’t you just love when you are half awake and half asleep how your mind travels to the strangest places? I am grateful this morning that it wandered to such a happy place.
It’s hard to believe that spring is finally here. Winter seemed far too long this year. In just two weeks the fruit trees went from brown sticks to blossoms and then baby green leaves. If you don’t peek at them every day you’d surely miss the beauty of their transformation. Aside from my annoying allergies, I can’t tell you how delighted I am that spring is finally here.
I look forward to it for many reasons. As a Christian, spring is a very special season. Not just because the weather is warmer and the flowers are blooming and… little fuzzy yellow ducklings, it’s the season of Easter and it’s an opportunity to celebrate the joyful resurrection of Jesus. New life. I’ve always thought it was a beautiful intentional coincidence that so much brand new life and resurrected life can be found this time of year.
This year I had a dawning revelation of inclusion. The Resurrection is not something that happened to Jesus alone. It happened to me also. When I chose to follow Him, that choice united me in his death and in his resurrection. (Romans 6:8) I am in Christ and Christ is in me. (John 17). This is personal! In order to be resurrected with Jesus, I had to die along with him, on the cross and daily to my selfish desires. We are celebrating all Christian resurrections!
For days I have contemplated Roman 8:10-11 NIV
10 But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. 11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.
We are given life through the Spirit who lives in us. When Jesus was resurrected and before he ascended he left the Spirit for us. God’s Spirit, the Holy Spirit. As I begin to really wrap my mind around this idea of total inclusion with Jesus, it gives me a sense of belonging and peace that reaches the inner dwellings of my soul. The moment I accepted Jesus as my Redeemer, he has been with me and I have been with Him.
I am included! I am alive, renewed and resurrected, just like those fruit trees that appeared to be dead. Spring is little fuzzy yellow ducklings, chocolate bunnies, Easter baskets, and pretty little Easter dresses a beautiful intentional coincidence symbolizing brand new life. Spring is a celebration that began at 4:43 am this morning.
Sheri Page is one of our Refres{her} bloggers. She has been married to her husband for 10 years and cherishes their blended family of 6 adult children and 9 grandchildren. Sheri has worked in and alongside ministries for over 30 years. She has served many roles within the walls of a church including, a Women’s Ministry director and assistant to a Care Pastor where she served people who were walking through Baptism, Celebrate Recovery, Divorce Care and benevolence. Sheri loves to share her curiosity and unique understanding of life with Jesus by her side. She is a 5-year breast cancer survivor and considers that experience to be one of the greatest gifts God has given her. More writings from Sheri can be found on her blog: https://thelordsdwellingplace.com/