Spring brings such a burst of life and color to our world. For those of us in the northern states, it almost feels like the land around us was in detention for months. It’s as if the environment was wiped clear of these indications of vitality. What was once showning signs of life and color, are now concealed and restrained. I realize the beauty of a fresh snowfall and enjoy it greatly. Once it melts, it reveals dormant plants and lawns lacking color and any sense of life.
Burst of Life
As Spring begins to show itself, the bulbs in the ground that await warmth have propelled stems up through the formerly hard-packed earth The ends of plants and trees show growing buds. The sound of birds is heard all around as they gather in trees nearby. Larger birds return from their southern migration and land on bodies of water that were covered with ice just a few weeks earlier. Signs of small animals are apparent as they take advantage of the new tender leaves and stems coming to life.
What a truly amazing time of year! What an ever-greater Creator who designed these seasons of life, which shows the intelligence and power of our God! The Psalmist wrote:
“Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it; let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them. Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy; they will sing before the Lord, for he comes, he comes to judge the earth.”
(Psalm 96:11-13a)
The Creator is the origin of life itself. His creation gives evidence of this everywhere we look. As we take notice, it glorifies the One who designed it. It was God who spoke everything into existence in the Creation story as recorded in Genesis. This understanding gives order and purpose to everything around us.
Marred by Sin
We understand that our marvelously created world is not all that it would be because of the entrance of sin into the world. This is described in Genesis 3. The pervasive effects of the fall of man impact the entire world. The apostle Paul wrote to the Romans,
“The creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.”
(Romans 8:20-22)
The weather channel regularly reports the “groaning” of our earth with forecasts of hurricanes, tornadoes, and flooding. The beauty of our world is always resisting some effects of the Fall of humanity. But the good news is that all of this is a temporary state. Just like a long winter of dormancy, one day God will renew this world. Beginning with His imminent return to catch His people up to a glorious hope (1 Thess. 4:16-17). At that time, He will begin the renewing of the earth without the sinful presence of Satan (Rev. 20; 2 Peter 3:12-13).
A Glimpse of Eternal Life
When we see decay and loss of life here in the present, it should motivate us to recognize God’s plan for a greater life. Jesus Christ came into the world to bring life (John 10:10). As believers, it is important to keep that “forever” focus on life. The seductions of modern life seek to make all of us focus on temporary happiness. However, God has a greater joy that lasts. At Grace, this is why our mission statement focuses on eternal impact,
“Graduating Courageous Ambassadors For Christ who Make an Eternal Impact Wherever They Go.”
People are forever, and the life God intends for each of us is one of lasting beauty and joy beyond a warm, colorful spring day. That burst of life should compel us to seek the Creator through the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ. In this, there is a mission of life. Please join us by praying for our students. Pray for the many who will graduate next month and be sent to serve as ambassadors of life to a world needing that message of life.
By His Grace,
Ken B. Kemper
President
