I’m experiencing Spring in a whole new way this year. Living in an area with distinct seasons, including long winters, brings new hope as we see trees budding their leaves and green blades of grass peeking through months of brown landscape.

Are you in a long, cold winter season, friend? Hang tight; Hope is on the horizon.

Spring brings life as the birds sing their merry songs and flutter about building nests for the babies that are to come.

We see how our Creator has lavished us with beauty in our natural surroundings, and it’s never more apparent than in the spring and Easter season.

“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” 1 Peter 1:3

Resurrected life. Great mercy. Lavish love. We will never fully comprehend this kind of love that faced such darkness head-on on our behalf. Jesus’ soul was overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death: “My Father, if it is possible may this cup be taken from me” (Matthew 26: 38-39)

But it was not possible. This was the plan from the beginning of time to bridge the gap between us and God. It was the redemption plan that included the final shedding of blood to cover the foul sting of sin leading to death.

Like the cold, dark, dreary days of winter leading us into spring, at Christ’s death, darkness covered the land, and the veil separating us from the Father was torn, leading us into newness of life with God. Darkness turned to light, and mourning turned to joy at the sight of the empty tomb.

Like spring and the new birth we see in creation, the Resurrection of Jesus exudes life. Life was given to us by the only One who could cover our sins, save our souls, and redeem us from death.

Our Savior loves us lavishly, extravagantly, and generously.

“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.” 1 John 3:16

The redemptive work done on the cross on our behalf is the greatest love story ever told, giving us the greatest gift we can receive…salvation in Jesus.

We are born into an everlasting life, where hope flourishes, grace abounds, and we experience being lavishly loved by our Savior.