By MANDY SAELER
Each year, the coming of springtime carries a sheerly delightful and romantic air with it. Bursts of new life wrestle through the once cold and frozen ground, revealing cheery colorful buds to winter-worn eyes all around. Hazy golden sunbeams mark the early hour of dawn, while songbirds make their praises known to every open ear. And the other countless beauties of spring inspire us and refresh our hearts!
Far beyond the signature beauties of springtime, enveloped in the coming of this new season is an invitation into intimacy with the Living God. Every blossoming flower, each spring-scented breeze, and the delighted laughter of children at play in the warm sun bears the heavenly intent of drawing our hearts to Christ. Each day’s sunrise and sunset, the hopeful buds of new life, and the sweet songbird’s tune all remind us to lift our eyes heavenward to delight in our King.
Can you imagine the heavenly light that sparkles His eyes as draws our hearts afresh and He extends His open hand toward us? For He knows the heart-ravishing joy that awaits His children as they walk in communion with Him – and He can hardly wait for us to discover the riches found in embracing His fatherly hand!
As we join our hand in His, He leads us in paths of righteousness, makes known to us the path of life, and leads us into fulness of joy (Ps 16:11; 23:3). Our hearts are stilled with peace and our souls are filled with strength as our minds are fixed upon Him (Isa. 26.3-4). Our ears are attuned to hear His voice, and our feet inclined to follow Him (Jn. 10.27). As we join our hearts and hands with His, we truly begin to taste everlasting sweetness of communion in Him! (Jn 15; Ps. 1:1-3).
As spring blossoms all around us, Jesus is calling, “Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away” (Song 2:10). May we yield to His call and freshly embrace this invitation into intimacy with Christ!
My beloved spoke, and said to me: “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 singing has come, And the voice of the turtledove Is heard in our land. The fig tree puts forth her green figs, And the vines with the tender grapes Give a good smell. Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away!
Song of Solomon 2.10-13