“But there is an order to this resurrection: Christ was raised as the first of the harvest; then all who belong to Christ will be raised when he comes back.”
1 Corinthians 15:23
It’s resurrection time!
Don’t look at me in that tone of voice. I mean it. If you don’t believe me, just look at this.
This is our local low-level crossing.
(For those of you who don’t know what that is, it is a road built with a means to allow spring run-off to flow unhindered over it for the few days or weeks that the creeks are gorged with melt water from the snow which has accumulated all winter. Usually, some sort of solid base such as cement or crushed rock lines the lowest elevation in order to withstand the pressures of flowing water so that the road doesn’t wash away.)
The fact that a few days ago the low level crossing was covered in snow, and that today the snow has been replaced with meltwaters roaring in their desperation to merge with the lake, is proof.
Proof positive.
Spring has arrived at last!
The age old allegory, tale as old as time, is once again telling all who will listen that winter is being slowly conquered by the melting snow and rushing waters of new life.
The earth, dead in winter, comes alive in increments. And one of the first signals of the mighty annual resurrection is the creek.
It’s a magical thing.
Hubby is on a committee which oversees the drainage area represented by Wimmer Creek. So this time of year, after supper, we hop in the farm truck and go for a ride to see if the creek is behaving herself and how fast she’s running.
Waters start collecting. Pooling resources, if you will. Then, a trickle. Then, a run.
Then a torrent!
In a matter of days, the waters peak.
In a matter of weeks, the water subsides.
But it all points to a resurrection, acting out in annual miniature the greater truth of another, far greater resurrection.
As the creek running demonstrates one big key sign that proves spring is – er, springing, the recent Easter celebration demonstrates another beautiful sign of good things to come.
The Apostle Paul taught that Jesus was the first to be raised. As in, there will be more resurrections. As in, you and I will be resurrected one day.
For reals.
Jesus’ resurrection is a sign that one day, all that is dead will be raised. Perfected. Cured. Beautified. Overcome.
Resurrected.
I don’t know about you, but that gives me a little joy wiggle!
One day, the Jesus who walked out of a tomb will return to those His children home, to a place of such perfection our minds and hearts couldn’t grasp it if we tried.
So this spring, when you see a sign that your world is thawing, transforming, coming to life after being so cold and dark and dead, remind yourself heart that there is another resurrection coming – one that will set everything back to how it was originally designed to be.
Ahhhhhh …
[Insert contented sigh here.]
Allow signs of spring to resurrect your hope with me?
Father, the cycle of the seasons teaches us so much about hope. Remind our hearts that one day, when You return for us, all that is dead and evil and wrong and hopeless will be set right, and that we will live forever with You in a place of sweet perfection. Amen.
Growing in Grace 