New Life
If you know me, really know me, then you know that I am fascinated with nature—every aspect of it. I cannot help myself. I deeply enjoy the beauty of what God has made, and I love, too, to examine the inner workings of it all. I am often struck with awe and wonder at how nature seems to be a treasure box of mysteries…so many revelations waiting to be uncovered. Knowing that God Himself so carefully placed and embedded in every rock, flower, bird, and tree…clues…clues so carefully hidden, waiting for the willing heart to discover their wisdom and knowledge—the wisdom and knowledge of God Almighty, the Ancient of Days. Wow, what a priceless gift…
This in consideration, I could not help myself one day this week. I was in the front yard examining the buds on our fruit tree. The buds had already produced exquisite blossoms and had already shed their delicate pastel petals in beautiful cascades, but I noticed on this particular day that from the base, from the core of the buds, the tiniest, loveliest, most perfect little, itty bitty, green leaves were protruding in clusters. So completely miniature in size, but so completely excellent in their design that even their tiny veins could be seen. It was as if the tree…after the long hard winter, a season of apparent death, had given birth, and from that birth…there was now the most perfect life and nothing—absolutely NOTHING—could keep those tiny little leaves, that new birth, from springing forth.
And,is it not so with Christ? How discouraged were His followers in the days after His crucifixion, an apparent winter. But from the winter, sprang forth life eternal. Nothing—absolutely NOTHING—could have held Jesus in that grave: “But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.” Acts 2:24 He came forth from the grave, bringing with Him new life, everlasting life, and because of this, we are saved! Hallelujah! Praise be to God! There is no, and will be no, end to the life that comes forth from Jesus Christ. “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade.” 1 Peter 1:3,4a
Today, look around you. New life is springing forth everywhere. Let it remind you of the hope you have in Jesus Christ. Let it remind you of His sacrifice and the eternal life you now have in Him. Let it remind you that death, and hell, and the grave could not keep Him down: “I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.” Revelation 1:17b,18
–Katie Botello