A time of renewal

May 24, 2007

By Dorothy Rugg

“For behold, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. The flowers have already appeared in the land; the time has arrived for pruning the vines, and the voice of the turtledove has been heard in our land” (Song of Solomon 2:11,12, NASB).

Living in northeast Pennsylvania, I always look forward to spring. I can look out my windows and see the signs of spring everywhere — buds are popping out on the trees, the crocuses start to bloom, tulips and primroses appear in my garden, the robins and bluebirds come back, the turkeys are out and about, the deer are coming out of hiding, and we see the signs of new birth — baby ducks in the stream, turtles laying their eggs, fawns prancing along beside the does. New life is all around; the dreary days of winter are behind us.

This time of the year always reminds me of the hope we have in Christ. This is time to remember Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the Last Supper, Jesus’ prayer in the Garden, the betrayal and arrest in Gethsemane, Jesus mocked, beaten, and crucified, and then His resurrection.

Sometimes there are those hard places in our lives and we wonder how can we endure anymore, how can we go another step. And then we remember the promises from God’s precious Word. We can hear God whisper to us, Keep going My child, renewal will come. Keep seeking Me; keep pressing forward.

Spring is a reminder that Christ’s death bought us freedom — freedom from sin, freedom from death. His Word tells us that in Him we are new creatures; the old has gone, and the new has come. Let the truth of His resurrection flood your heart and soul today. Be encouraged and keeping following the Savior.

James and Dorothy Rugg pastor Mill City Assembly of God in Dalton, Pa.