Dear Friends,
Over the last few days it has been amazing to see how the plants have responded to the warmer weather we have had this week. We now have crocuses, daffodils and primroses out in our garden – a sure sign that Spring is on the way. The couple of ponds we had in our garden – that we didn’t order – have also disappeared at last! The birds are very active building their nests and it is lovely to have been woken up the last few mornings to the dawn chorus. Spring is a lovely time of year when new life bursts forth after the cold and dark of winter; bulbs planted before the long dark winter months have been quietly growing and developing and have now emerged bringing colour and life.
Perhaps in some ways we can relate that to our lives. As we travel through Lent it is a time to think about the work the Spirit has been doing, is doing, and wants to do in the garden of our life – much of which takes place in secret, hidden away from others. If our lives are to reflect his beauty there is always work to be done and we can’t become complacent and comfortable. Sometimes though, as followers of Jesus, we do become complacent and comfortable. We feel that we are fine as we are and so why would we want change? Why would we want to yield ourselves to what the Holy Spirit wants to do in our lives when we are quite happy where we are?
The Lord wants our lives to be full, to flourish under his hand. As we move through Lent I pray that we will learn to yield to his touch; that we will allow fresh areas of our lives that have remained closed to him, to be opened. As 2 Peter 3: 18 says, may we grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.
With love,
Jane