Spring (Change) is in the Air

By Brent Myers

Spring ushers in a new season. It signals the end of “winter” and the beginning of something new. Spring brings new flowers, warmer temperatures, greener grass, and another baseball season. Spring also brings another ritual for many people: cleaning.

Yep – good ol’ fashioned spring cleaning. “Out with the old and in with the new.” Perhaps this annual cleaning is symbolic of the change of the seasons. As we rid ourselves of shorter days, and cooler temps, we welcome in the sun and going to the beach. Spring cleaning reminds us of hope for better days ahead.

And by doing so, Spring becomes the season of hope and change.

As we enter this season, we should stop and take inventory of change that we can make in our spiritual lives to bring about hope.

Here are some things we can do for a “spiritual spring cleaning.”

The apostle Paul wrote in a letter these words: “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” (Romans 12:2)

Note what Paul says:

Act differently. “…don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world…” Just because it’s popular doesn’t mean we have to do it. We should strive to act differently. We can learn to be kind, polite, forgiving, humble, and serve others. We can act differently by putting others ahead of ourselves.

Think differently. “…a new person by changing the way you think…” There used to be a phrase that said “Garbage In. Garbage Out.” This means that what we put in our heads is what we will eventually produce. This same Paul wrote in a different letter:
“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” (Philippians 4:8)

Be different. “…let God transform you into a new person…” Ultimately God does all the work and “spiritual cleaning” in our lives through His Son Jesus and His redemptive work. Again, Paul wrote these words: “This means that anyone who belongs
to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (2 Corinthians 5:17)
Spring is here! Change is here!
Hope is hear! Embrace it.
Love it. Live it.