Spring is a quintessential time of hope and promise. All around are signs of new life: buds that will surely bloom, seeds turning into sprouts, rains giving way to bright skies, the garden covered in sunbeams, glimpses of first fruits. I can’t help but reflect on these signs, often curling up outside or by the window to watch and think on fresh starts, growth, and becoming. These curled up times are one of delight; delight in the small, halting starts and in the slow-going change. Delight in imagining what will be and witnessing its little-by-little, bit-by-bit, magical unfurling.
In church, we’re going through the book of Hebrews. Last week we talked about chapter 11 and faith. I have always been drawn to the stories of faith highlighted in this chapter. How Abraham “went without knowing where he was going” (verse 8). How Moses “kept right on going because he kept his eyes on the one who is invisible” (verse 27). And craziness of all crazy: “All these people died still believing what God had promised them. They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it from a distance and welcomed it” (verse 13).
Spring reminds me to see things from a distance and welcome them. It’s a natural time to practice seeing promise all around, and a time to recognize that growth isn’t just happening without, but is going on inside me too. And little ol’ me, well, I know I just need to keep my eyes on the one who is invisible.
Therefore, I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:25-34)
Friends, let’s seek God first, keeping our eyes on him. Let’s take one step of faith at a time, even when we don’t know where we’re going. Let’s live our days little-by-little, bit-by-bit seeing hope and promise, and trusting in him who is faithful. Let’s delight in the beauty that surrounds us, shaking off worry and fear. And let’s encourage each other on the journey.
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