Staying in Spiritual Rhythm: Spring’s New Beginnings (Part 4 of 5) 

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

“When Aslan bares his teeth, winter meets its death.
When he shakes his mane, we shall have spring again.”  C.S. Lewis

One of the most beloved children’s stories of all time is C.S. Lewis’ classic, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. The book became a blockbuster movie in December of 2005 and has gone on to sell millions of copies since its publication in 1950. The story is set in the year of 1940 during World War II as four children are sent away to the country to professor Kirke’s home. The youngest child, Lucy Penvensie, discovers a magical wardrobe in a spare  room and enters the wondrous land of Narnia. There she meets a faun named Mr. Tunmus and discovers a horrible truth. Narnia has been caught in a 100 year curse of winter. Always winter, never Christmas. The whole land is in a ice grip by the evil White Witch. Later on when all hope is lost and the four children are in the beavers’ home by the dam. Then the children discover some earth-shattering news: Aslan is on the move. The Great Lion (an allegory figure of Jesus Christ) is about to change everything. As time moves along the sign and symbol of that promise begins to weaken the power of the Witch and winter begins to melt away. Ice breaks, the cold lifts, and trees blossom. Out of the dreary, dull, and bleakness–spring.

Spring is a time of hope. Just like how the spring symbolized a new beginning in Narnia, spring is the start of new things, new activities, a fresh slate. It pulses with joy. It is a glimpse of the “all things new” we’ll find in Heaven one day. It is a season of colors—where green, yellow, red, blue, violet flood into our eyes. Trees and plants bloom, animals sing, and the sweet fragrance of  flowers is in the air. Creation itself delights in the newness from the depths of deadness. When God moves, creation responds.

Just as the season of spring is a time of and new beginnings for creation, so it is in our spiritual walk with Christ. The spiritual season of spring begins with renewal. It is marked by a renewal emotionally, physically, and morally. Let’s take a deeper look at each kind of renewal.

Emotions that the winter brought us through the depths of darkness are resorted and renewed in the spring. In the winter we are wary and spend from days of sorrow, but spring awakens our dead senses. Words of cheer are the only ones that make sense. We resonate with joy and optimism. We’re full of energy and a new found strength for life. This doesn’t mean that troubles wouldn’t be found. But they don’t seem so menacing as they once did and we stand tall. Our souls are revived and restored. Which leads into another form of renewal:

The season of spring brings a physical renewal. Jesus’  miracles were a glimpse into the season of spring as Mark Buchanan writes, “Jesus reserves His deepest intimacy for winter. But He displays His greatest handiwork in spring. He brings living water into thirsty lands, emotional strength to faltering hearts, physical wellness to the sick and the lame.” Sometimes, we too, experience this renewal in the most literal way: God heals us on a lingering illness, a deep depression, or a chronic pain. Not from doctors, medicine, or therapy—from God. Physical restoration is a direct overflowing of emotional renewal. “He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.” (Psalm 23:3 NLT)  As our heart our healed, so is our physical health. We get an extra spring in our step (pun intended) and can’t wait to begin a new day. But the best part of spring is another kind of renewal–one where our hearts are washed clean.

Sanctification is the cleansing of our moral filth. From the bitter roots and weeds that have choked out the life from us. Bad habits, sinful thoughts, sour attitudes are washed by the blood of Jesus. We are redeemed and made whole again. Cynicism gives way to hope. We can see clearly again of our purpose and who we are in Christ and who God is.  Our walk with God is unhindered by hidden faults and failures. We are free to be ourselves as we were made to be. Emotional renewal, physical renewal, and moral renewal: The hallmarks and heart of spring. How then do we seize the spring season, savor it for all its worth, and steward it well?   There are three activities that define the spring season: plowing, planting, cleaning.

Plowing is a farming term and is reference to cutting, lifting, and turning over soil. It ensures that the field is free from weeds and unwanted plants from last year’s harvest. Ask any farmer and they’ll tell you that plowing is hard work. The promise of a reward is plowing is distant and tentative. What does this mean for us spiritually?

First it means to listen. As Mark Buchanan says, “The plowing of springtime is the disciple of deeper attentiveness.” We need to taking the time to be quiet and still in the presence of God. Spending time in prayer and the Word eagerly anticipating God’s direction.  It is also a time to establish these spiritual disciplines firmly rooting them into our life. Perhaps you’ll fallen away from attending church and need to find a new church family. This is the season to take action. Or your devotion time is dry and dull. Now is the time to instill new life in your time spent with God. Or you’ve been holding back your income from the offering plate. Spring is a time of reestablishing healthy habits and rooting in new ones. The results may not be instant, the work is often hard, but the reward for plowing will pay dividends as we enter the season of summer.  

Another related discipline to farming in spring is planting. Spring is the best season for launching new things. Similar to a new year where we strive to reach new goals, achieve new ambitions, and dream of the infinite possibilities ; the season of springs beacons new beginnings. Perhaps it’s losing weight and eating healthier. Or spending more wisely. Maintaining a more positive, upbeat attitude. Founding a new ministry at your church. Starting a new friendship with a co-worker. Going back to school and finishing your education. If we don’t take the time to plant and prepare, we’ll waste a wide-open opportunity. It would be like leaving a field untended in a vain hope that it will be ready when the harvest comes each fall. Recognize when the time is right to plant and make sure it is properly tended for, nourished, and as a result flourishes. And with plowing and planting comes the discipline of cleaning.

We’ve all heard of the term, “spring cleaning” before and most of us take part in this annual activity each year. We clean out our old junk in our garages, our houses, and our yards. The smells of bleach, lemon cleaner, and sanitizer fill the air. Spring is the best time to clean. It is a time to evaluate where you’ve been and we’re you’re headed. To take a personal inventory similar to when we go through all our possessions in our spring cleaning. A time to reflect upon our routines, distractions, and how our time is spent. Then ask two questions: “When was I most alive and most fulfilled today?” and “When was I stressed, depleted, and depressed? ” Or simply “When did I feel closest to God and when was the farthest?”  We need to get rid of the clutter and chaos that we at times clutch closest to us. Write it down, spend time in prayer, and reflect. Fix your focus on your purpose. Ensure that you purpose is full of clarity and God’s calling for your life.

Spring is a glimpse into Heaven’s opening scenes. A place where all things are made new again. Our bodies, our minds, creation, and all of life begins anew. Where sin, sorrow, and selfishness are no more. Where the original design of what was once was in the garden is now restored. Spring leads into the  highway and heart of Heaven. So if you’re currently experiencing the spring season of the soul, enjoy it! Awaken your dreams and deepest desires. Take delight the promise that is fulfilled in new beginnings, redemption, restoration, and renewal. Make the most of the opportunities as you take part in the practices of  plowing, planting, and cleaning. Because when God is on the move everything changes. The things of old that marked the passage of winter are dead and long gone. Hope is here and the haven rests in Him! “He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!” Then He said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.’” (Revelation 21:5) The earth shakes and the mountains tremble as His roar erupts through the early sunrise. Spring is finally here!

Radiant Reflection: This week we learned about the season of Spring. Answer these questions to help you apply the practices and principles we just covered:

1) Have you ever read “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe” or seen the movie? What are some of the ways that this book/movie illustrate the deadness of winter and hope of spring?

2) What are the hallmarks of spring? Have you experienced any of these renewals in your life? What was your response? What was a result of this renewal?

3) What does it mean to spiritually plow in our lives? How can you practice the discipline of plowing in your life today?

4) What does it meant to spiritually plant seeds in our lives? What is one thing area of your life you would like to plant a seed today?

5) What is involved in the action of spiritually cleaning? Have you ever practiced this discipline? Why or why not?

Can You Hear Me Now?: If you want a more complete picture of the spiritual season of Spring–pick up a copy of the book, Spiritual Rhythm, by Mark Buchanan. As you read this blog take note of ways you can start off the new year of 2012 in launching a spiritually season of spring. Then take part of the process of plowing, planting, and cleaning. Just because it’s winter outside doesn’t mean you can’t experience spring inside your soul!

Future Features: We are now at the tail end of the year and the start of the holiday season of Christmas and New Years. This week marks the last few days of new content for the next couple of weeks. The last two Real of the Reel blogs will be posted later this week along with the final part of this series on the season of Summer. This blog is set to be posted this Thursday on the 22nd. The Sound Bites ministry will run through this Saturday and then it’ll kick back up again around the second week of January. God Bless.

Sources: Mark Buchanan, Spiritual Rhythm, Zondervan. Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2010. Pages 73-77, 81-82, 85-87, 96-98, 100-102, 106