To state the obvious, it is spring. And yet— it is so much more. We are witnessing the natural world sing “Hosanna!” to the Risen King. Every year, no matter when Easter Sunday falls, early in March, or late in April, the trees and flowers come to life to celebrate, to declare, to remember Jesus. They welcome Him as much as we do. It is good for me to remember that He is not just our Savior but all of creation’s hope too.
I am simply star-struck this year. The beauty that will not be denied. The buds that winter cannot hold back. The praise that can not be silenced. Even this morning reading Isaiah, I see it again and again. We dare not we miss this obvious awakening.
Remember these things, O Jacob,
and Israel, for you are my servant;
I formed you; you are my servant;
O Israel, you will not be forgotten by me.
22 I have blotted out your transgressions like a cloud
and your sins like mist;
return to me, for I have redeemed you.
23 Sing, O heavens, for the Lord has done it;
shout, O depths of the earth;
break forth into singing, O mountains,
O forest, and every tree in it!
For the Lord has redeemed Jacob,
and will be glorified in Israel. Isaiah 44 ESV
And what of us? Do we see it? Do we regard the displays of beauty as a Holy Conversation? Does this grateful Creation song of worship move us to worship as well? I don’t mean, “oh that tree is beautiful.”
I mean. “I see your praise for the Resurrected King and I join you. Thank you Jesus for coming!”
Maybe I have been reading too much Narnia. Or maybe we are lulled to a sleep by selfishness. But if the trees sing, and the rocks cry out, how can we stay silent?
Let the redeemed of the Lord say so.
Let us glorify the Lord of Lords.
This blog brings to mind the scripture that says “Be still and know that I am God.” In the springtime, you can literally hear things growing if you are still enough. My brother just told me he heard the pops and cracks of his pampas grass reemerging last weekend. If you force seedlings indoors you can sometimes hear the cracks of the seed husks. I try to remember to be still enough to hear heaven and nature sing. Thanks for the inspiration today, Jana!
Jana,
I have re-discovered your blog and excited to read what you are learning.
Get in touch, I would love to see you.
mk