Monday, April 3, 2023
By Tamira Johnson
Monday, April 3
Romans 6:3-5 TPT
Or have you forgotten that all of us who were immersed into union with Jesus, the Anointed One, were immersed into union with his death? Sharing in his death by our baptism means that we were co-buried with him, so that when the Father’s glory raised Christ from the dead, we were also raised with him. We have been co-resurrected with him so that we could be empowered to walk in the freshness of new life. For since we are permanently grafted into him to experience a death like his, then we are permanently grafted into him to experience a resurrection like his and the new life that it imparts.
Hope for Spring
By Tamira Johnson
Easter and spring feel synonymous to me. While there still may be three feet of snow in my yard, the days are longer, the sun feels warmer, and many of us are planning our gardens (if we haven’t started them already!). There is something to be said about the physiological effects that spring has on the body – the amount of vitamin D alone is proof of that! But we notice a boost in our moods and our energy levels go up, and we start to anticipate the new growth (and green!) that spring brings. For me, it’s the same with Easter.
When I was in my early teens, my dad would wake my sister and I up really early, and drive us almost an hour away (up north mind you, so more snow than around here) to an Easter Sunrise service that started at 7:30am! In my stubborn and futile attempt to mark the end of winter, I would wear the brightest spring-colored shirts, a skirt (or dress), and a pair of strappy flip flops! I was burying the winter season (even if I had to trudge through a few inches of the late winter/early spring snow that had freshly fallen the night before) and resurrecting the spring, regardless of what was going on around me.
It can be like that with Easter. During this season, we remember Jesus’ time of hardship and long suffering – the disappointment of his betrayal and capture, the pain of his torture and suffering, and the grief and darkness of his death. He truly endured the most difficult “winter” season in this life, dying on a cross and being buried in a tomb, and then rose again as the Brightest and Most Spectacular “Spring” this world has ever seen!
Jesus knew what he was going to endure, and, albeit painfully, he walked it out faithfully-anticipating the resurrection and new life he would bring to the world-once and for all. His eyes were on the prize, his Father. Ultimately, he surrendered to his Father’s will, and in the end, he experienced all the glory and new life the resurrection could bring. He held out during the dark “winter” days and walked in faith with anticipation for the new life God was going to give him.
Some of us may have endured a long and difficult winter season, both physically and spiritually. But know that your spring is coming! You may have been buried, but the Father is in the business of resurrecting. And if you’re ready for your spring, put on the ‘flip flops’ of your spirit and step out in faith, anticipating the new life and growth he has for you!
Heavenly Father, thank you for being with us in our winter seasons, and for the hope we have for our spring. Thank you for the work of the cross, that by faith we can receive forgiveness of our sins and new life with you. May we be expectant of the new life and growth you have for us. In your name we pray, amen.
And as a bonus, if you’re interested, take a moment to enjoy this song called “Seasons” by Hillsong. I hope you’ll find it as reviving and life-giving as I have, and be reminded of the promise of your season to come.
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