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| Dogwood blossoms - messengers that spring has indeed arrived. |
A few weeks
ago, perhaps when we weren’t looking or paying attention, spring arrived. For
people in some parts of the country, belated snowstorms made that hard to
believe, but it showed up just the same. Looking out the window of our home in
late March and early April, blossoms that suddenly appeared on our dogwood tree
gave evidence to it.
Throughout
the winter the tree had stood barren, without a single leaf to show any sign of
life. Then out sprouted the blossoms, followed by tiny leaves, ones that soon
will grow to full size and vibrant green. I don’t know that trees “play possum,”
but for several months this tree definitely appeared dead. Then it burst forth with
life, demonstrating that despite purported “climate change,” the seasonal renewal
cycle remains in effect.
Soon
flowers will be blooming brilliantly in their gardens, bees will be flitting
from petal to petal. Grass – and weeds – will display their hearty return.
Birds will resume chirping, mosquitoes will again “buzz off,” and all things
spring will have sprung. Manifestations of “Mother Nature” will be renewed.
Renewal is a
common part of everyday life, too, from the annual renewing of subscriptions
for periodicals to insurance premiums to memberships in favorite organizations.
For many things in life, it’s not once for all time – a restart is necessary from
time to time.
Interestingly,
renewal is a key to spiritual growth as well, both collectively and
individually. This theme recurs throughout the Scriptures, in both Old and New
Testaments, providing a foundation for becoming a consistent, fruitful follower
of Jesus Christ. However, unlike natural renewal which occurs like clockwork –
you can almost set your calendar by it – spiritual renewal isn’t automatic. It
involves God and the believer working in tandem. Here are some biblical principles
about renewal:
Renewal is not optional for Christ
followers. “Therefore if anyone is in
Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things
have come” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Renewal is a work of God. “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a
steadfast spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10).
Renewal involves an act of the will. “lay
aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of
deceit, and…be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self,
which in the likeness of God
has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth” (Ephesians 4:22-24).
Renewal begins in the mind. “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be
transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and
approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:2).
Renewal focuses on the present and the future, not the past.
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I
am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a
way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland”
(Isaiah 43:18-19).
Renewal must be – renewed - daily. “Therefore
we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are
being renewed day by day” (2
Corinthians 4:16).
Renewal results in making us more like our
God. “…since you have taken off your old self with its practices
and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image
of its Creator”
(Colossians 3:9-10).
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