Glorious

Middle Tennessee is flowering. I almost hated the first mow a few weeks ago, cutting down those pretty purple weeds in the cool, deep grass. But when I did, tiny yellow flowers popped up in abundance—and I don’t mean dandelions, though they have since arrived.

The pear and boxwood blooms have yielded to leafy tendrils, and the blue skies these days are edged with layers of varying greens, topped with the soft whites and grays of tranquil clouds.

And just last week, my lavender irises opened. Which means it’s Easter season.

Easter. In that one small word is my whole world, unfolding and flourishing like spring, clothing my otherwise neutral existence with brilliance and beauty. For me, Easter is the culmination of the year, even though it’s not at the end of the year. Nor is it the beginning, although it could be. Because in many ways, it is.

The word Easter itself has in its origin the idea of sunrise, which takes place in the eastern sky. What better way to think of a new start, a new season, a new life, than with sunrise? It is gorgeous and unique each day. It brings light and warmth. It causes living things to grow.

In short, sunrise is glorious.

Zacharias called Jesus the Dayspring from on high—or the Dawn of heaven—when  he spoke his prophetic poem over his miracle baby, John the Baptist.

Malachai spoke of Jesus as the Sun of Righteousness who would arise with healing in His wings.

He is glorious, whose fragrance and color brims with the boxwoods and the lilies, whose resplendence tips the earth heavenward with the coming of spring.

This weekend, take what necessary time you need to absorb Easter. Not just the delights of creation around you, the special worship services, the family meals. Take in Jesus. Open your hands and freely receive His unfailing love, His unfathomable grace. Ask Him to reveal to you afresh the new life He came to give you.

Ask Him for resurrection.

Call on the Christ crucified to forgive your past; call on the Christ resurrected to renew and empower your future. He alone is the Redeemer who creates spring out of every winter.