Texas seasons can be brutal for plants and trees. Last summer the heat and lack of rain impacted a new tree Joni and I had planted that spring. A deep winter freeze added to the struggle. As spring began we were not sure if our tree had survived.

Day after day the limbs were barren. Then one glorious day tiny buds began to appear on the branches. These green buds sprouted in defiance of summer and winters brutal assault. I stopped and meditated on the miracle of life emerging out of barrenness.

I thought of the words of philosopher Bernard Williams. “The day the Lord created hope was probably the same day he created Spring.”

I love that. 

Is there anything more hopeful than watching the beauty of budding leaves and blooming flowers turning the melancholy of winter into a wondrous palette of invigorating colors? Every spring is a reminder that God will bring beauty from darkness and life from death. 

The world can seem to be in a state of perpetual winter. But for followers of Jesus we see signs of life even in the darkness. Like that bit of green emerging from a lifeless branch we have a hope this spring. 

The resurrection. Jesus has conquered death. 

Martin Luther poetically wrote this. “Our Lord has written the promise of resurrection, not in books alone, but in every leaf in springtime.”

Followers of Jesus have a hope that our lives are eternal and valuable in Him. We have a hope that death is not final.

Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled:

“Death is swallowed up in victory.
O death, where is your victory?
    O death, where is your sting?”

For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power.  But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.  So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless. (1 Corinthians 15:54-58, NLT)

Nothing we do for the Lord is ever useless. Nothing! And even as we face the reality of a dangerous world we know we have the twin promise of victory over sin and death through Jesus. So as spring continues I choose to marvel at the renewing of life and the hope that holds for all of us. Paul wrote about this miracle.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” 
(2 Corinthians 5:17, ESV)

We have become new creations now and forever in Jesus. Doesn’t that hope feel especially good this spring? On many days we may feel the struggle but Jesus guarantees one day we will bloom for eternity.