Persons who enjoy the pleasure of springtime most are those who live in areas where the climate is cold with harsh winter days and lots of snow and ice. Springtime seems a long way off when the long, sharp icicles are hanging down from the houses and barns, and the trees (except evergreens) are standing bare and skeleton-like. Many other shrubs and bushes appear to be completely dead.
But what is the new sound that we hear this morning? There must be water dripping somewhere outside. Searching for this dripping water, we find the rooftop snow has begun to melt and is running down the gutters of the house. Drops of water are forming on the icicles and are dripping to the ground. Oh, it’s going to be hard to take the time to dress, pull on boots, and put on a jacket and hat before going outdoors to look for other signs of spring.
What a pleasant surprise when we finally get outside and find the snow and ice are slowly melting from the warm wind that has been blowing from the south during the night. Later in the day the nearby frozen stream will also begin to melt. Water from the melting snow, seeping around the edges of the ice, will break it away from the shore. Soon a jumble of small icebergs will crash along, rushing faster and faster downstream.
But most signs of spring are silent. One of the first is the skunk cabbage. As far back as January its roots started growing again, and before the snow has all melted its yellow blossom and leaves appear. Many insects that are coming out of hiding are attracted to it. In the flower garden crocus plants push their blossoms right through the snow. Pussy willows display their soft pillows. Many birds soon appear, returning from the south, and all nature seems to come back to life.
Sap rises in the stems and branches of bushes and shrubs, producing new bud life. Trees of the orchard and forest burst forth with leaves and perfumed blossoms. Farmers start preparing the soil for planting, and the newly exposed earth smells so good.
What a wonderful miracle springtime is! It is God’s way of reminding us that in His power life can come from death. It is a beautiful picture of the change in every person’s life who has accepted the Lord Jesus as his Saviour. The Bible assures us, “He that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” John 5:2424Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (John 5:24).
Have you found this “newness of life"? Will you answer the Saviour’s call when He returns to take all who love Him to His heavenly home? In Song of Solomon 2:10-1210My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away. 11For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone; 12The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land; (Song of Solomon 2:10‑12), His promise is expressed this way: “Rise up, My love, My fair one, and come away. For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone; the flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle [turtledove] is heard in our land.” Are you looking forward to this invitation?
ML-04/03/1983