Living in the Midwest has its ups and downs. We get a little of every season from a frozen Winter wasteland to a blazing Summer sun, and everything in between. By the time March and April roll around, some start getting Spring fever when life starts reemerging from what just recently appeared dead and dormant. The world around us comes back to life and that can inspire us to do the same. I had some outdoor projects on my ‘to do’ list and have been excited to start working on some of those. At the turning of the New Year, some of us may have had ambitions of a fresh start with initiating changes we wanted to make in our lives. Some of those changes may have lasted and some maybe not so much. It begs the question, is your life today what you want it to be? Are you the person you want to be, or are capable of becoming?
Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3
As we enter Holy Week and Easter, we are reminded of what Christ did for us through His betrayal, crucifixion, death, and resurrection. Maybe you have been celebrating this with family since you can remember, or maybe you have been born-again recently and it takes on a whole new meaning for you, but the opportunity is there to participate in this season in a number of ways. Often church services, songs, and bible readings through the Lenten season direct our hearts toward what Christ went though and accomplished for us. You may have participated in a Passover Seder meal that helps us experience and understand the symbolism surrounding this season. We can watch shows and movies that portray these events for us and our children in different ways as well. Overall, going through Lent and Easter should renew us in our faith and bring us to a place where God can use us more effectively and direct us going forward. What has been most meaningful to you in guiding your faith?
So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 2 Corinthians 4:16
As we take in all the rebirth in the world coming to life around us, let us sow seeds both in our own lives and in those around us that will be fruitful and meaningful both to us and more so for the Kingdom of God. When we are born again into His Kingdom, we cast off our old self and are brought forth in new life. This may be most dramatic when it happens for the first time, but it is also an ongoing process. We choose daily to cast aside those selfish things that will be detrimental to the Kingdom and to immerse ourselves with His Spirit that brings about the fruit we desire to produce. May you continue to be conformed into the person you desire to be and who God can use in little ways day by day. May you rejoice in that as we celebrate this Easter, and be renewed by the joy of Christ’s resurrection in our lives each day!
To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.Ephesians 4:22-24
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23
Yours in Christ,
Clark
