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This time of year is kind of a transition period in my part of the country.  The ground has been coated with a serious blanket of snow for almost six months now and all the life has been sucked out of the beautiful landscape.  Now that April is almost half over, we are beginning to see evidence of new life.  Grass is turning green, tulip leaves are burrowing their way through hardened soil. Things are turning up that we forgot to put away last fall.  Birds are returning from their winter vacations and making plans for their new homes and families.  We are all coming out of a long hibernation. 

It’s kind of like getting a second chance at life.  We may go through a dark period at times – when things just aren’t going well for us.  We could be stuck in a job that isn’t going anywhere.  We could be without a job.  We could be facing serious illness.  We might be in the clutches of some kind of addiction.  We could be depressed, lost, hopeless.  Our lives can be compared to a long, long winter.

When things change for us, it’s like the doors and windows can be opened again.  The sun will warm us once more and we won’t be chained to the confines of our darkness.  How wonderful to have a second chance.

Those dormant plants are now coming back to life.  We have to cut away some of the dead stuff for the beauty to return and flourish.  God does the same thing with us when He offers us His free salvation.  He prunes us, taking away the junk that has surrounded us and gives us hope for a better future, but it isn’t just hope – it’s a fact.  Our lives here on earth may not improve.  We will still have problems to solve, but we have assurance that our sin has been taken away and we can be confident in eternal life.

God is the only one who can do this.  He knows precisely what we need to be nourished.  He has given us His Word, to guide us.  He gives us His protection by sending His angels to watch over us.  He gives us His Holy Spirit to keep our faith alive and He sent His own precious Son to wash away the dirt that envelopes our hearts and minds.

It’s Monday – bring it on!  Put your life in the hands of the true Master Gardener.  As we contemplate the Passion of our Savior, let’s rejoice in our own rebirth because of His love for us.