Will Spring Ever Come?

God sends out his command to the earth;
his word runs swiftly.  

God gives snow like wool;
he scatters frost like ashes.
God hurls down hail like crumbs—
who can stand before his cold?
God sends out his word and melts them;
God makes his wind blow, 
and the waters flow.

Psalm 157:15-18

Looking at pictures of the Sierras and Big Bear, it has been amazing to see all the snow that has fallen and accumulated this winter!  And then there’s the rain which seems to be relentless throughout all of California and other parts of thecountry.

Spring and more sunshine will be welcome reliefs for many.  During such seasons of nature, one can complain or be grateful, hunker down and wait things out – or reflect on the inner life of faith.

Deep beneath the superficiality of our lives, God can melt what is frozen and cold - because God continually reaches out to us - offering us, grace, goodness, acceptance, forgiveness, empowerment, joy, and love through Christ Jesus our Lord.  And so, God showers us with the enabling possibilities to be and do more than we ever dreamed possible.

For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven
and do not return there until they have watered the earth,
making it bring forth and sprout,
giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose
and succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

Isaiah 55:10-12

As we traverse this Lenten season of reflection and renewal pursuing our theme: following Christ – it is my hope that we will be open, receptive and ready for God’s melting, moving presence in our lives - as we seek to be instruments of Christ’s love to others.  As Howard Thurman could write in his book, TheCentering Moment:

“And therefore, for love’s sake, then, I will do what no power 
in heaven or hell or in the earth could make me do if I did not love. 
So, God, as experience must be like this. I would not snare You 
in a web of words, I would not try to reduce all the vast reaches 
of Your meaning to paltry symbols. I would but open myself to You 
and let Your spirit invade me and fill me until I do not know 
what is mine or Yours.  This would be my fulfillment, O my God!”

With love for the journey,

Rev. Dr. David D. Young
Senior Minister