There's something about springtime that makes my soul come alive. It's the first few days that make me want to wear shorts even though it's only 50 degrees. It's the sound of the birds chirping outside my window. The crocuses popping out of the ground. The first Spring cleaning of the yard. The refreshing breeze and the sunshine that seems to melt away the winter blues. I don't know about you, but springtime makes me feel like a kid again. Maybe it's because everything feels new. New can be really exciting. A new grill for those summer barbecues. A new outfit to wear on Easter. A new restaurant you can't wait to check out. That new post-quarantine hairstyle you're rocking.
According to God's providence there's a lot of new things to be excited about here at church this Spring too. GEMS and Jr. High Youth Group are starting new. New nursery and young kids ministries will be starting soon (more on that to come!) New Sunday School classes are coming. Your church staff are geeking out over new church management software. Professions of faith and new members will be introduced to our church soon! After Easter we'll be sharing some new ways to connect with each other and with our church. I love new. New is exciting.
But as much as I love all these new things and the newness of Spring, this season is about so much more. Consider John's vision from God in Revelation 21:1-5.
Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
5 He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
WOW. Everything being made new?? A new heaven and earth. A new Jerusalem, a new dwelling place for God--among the people! No more tears. No more death or mourning or crying or pain. How?? Easter. It's so much more than crocuses and the warm breeze and the new feeling of spring. It's about how Jesus comes face to face with the deepest darkness of the cross on Good Friday and shining the brightest light of the world in the empty tomb of Easter Sunday morning. In his resurrection, he makes things new. Believers in Him are now reconciled to God and made into new creations. That kind of new is so much bigger than a new grill, outfit, or even new ministries. That kind of new leaves us in awe of the story of God. Remember, the story isn't finished. Jesus is coming again and in him we are truly alive. Behold. He is making all things new.
-Pastor Kendall Everett
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