Ephesians 3:13 & 15 - Joie De Vivre

If you were to ask me what my favorite season is, I usually say, "Fall--but Indian Summer in particular when it's warm during the day, but frost has killed off the mosquitoes and chiggers."

However, this year, after spending so much time indoors and at home, I've enjoyed the spring  more than ever. COVID-19 hasn't stopped the earth from rotating on its access, nor the seasons from changing. Brown, gray fields are turning green with crops. The scent of lily of the valley has been replaced by lilacs and peonies. Maybe it's my imagination, but the crabapple tree blossoms seem unusually profuse this year. And is the sky bluer? Maybe less driving has meant less smog in the air?

One of my patients has a robin's nest outside their door. One week a nest. The next week, aqua-blue eggs. The next week, little fuzz balls with yellow beaks. It's such a simple thing, but it's refreshing to see the spark of life after all the scenes of overflowing hospitals in Italy, New York and elsewhere.

If we can take such delight in seeing the growth of new life, think of how God delights to see us grow. That's why He puts us into the community of faith, so that,

"...we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ. Ephesians 4:13 (New Living Translation) 
 ...we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ." Ephesians 4:15 (NASB95) 

There's no age limit on this. Regardless of how many seasons we've lived on earth, we can continue to grow in Christ.

Thank you, Lord, for the change of seasons. For the reminders of new life all around us. Above all, thank you for Jesus Christ, who died and rose again so that we could live, and grow, and mature to reflect His life to others. In His name we pray, Amen.

Heav'n above is softer blue,
earth around is sweeter green!
Something lives in every hue
Christ-less eyes have never seen:
Birds with gladder songs o'erflow,
flow'rs with deeper beauties shine,
since I know, as now I know,
I am His, and He is mine.
Since I know, as now I know,
I am His, and He is mine.

from "I Am His, And He Is Mine" by George Wade Robinson
https://hymnary.org/hymn/WASH1957/268