Springtime

I spent part of my Saturday working in the yard. I wasn’t looking forward to it, and put it off for as long as I could. It turned out to be an instructive experience for me, so I figured I would share some of the thoughts that were bouncing around my head as I worked.

Everything is in motion. Everything is coming back to life. Even though I live in an area that doesn’t have the traditional four distinct seasons, we still have springtime. There is a sense of new life, an energy, a renewal.

The trees that stood dormant for the winter are now covered with blossoms, buds or even new leaves. Even the trees that do not go dormant show new signs of life as they send up new growth and blossoms. (Nothing better than the smell of orange blossoms in your own backyard.)

The dormant grass starts to show tinges of green. New seeds sprout and grow in the mild sunshine. Bulbs that waited under the soil since last fall emerge and send up shoots that will quickly bear flowers.

It is also the time of year that animals come out of their hibernation, both n the snowy mountains as well as the deserts – grizzly bears and lizards. Somehow they know when to remerge and get back to their normal lives.

The flowers in my flowerpots and gardens (see pic above) are soaking up the sun and returning color and beauty.

Especially curious to me was seeing how much growth was coming off the bushes and trees that had been aggressively pruned during their dormant season. They look healthy. They look strong.

It really is a miraculous thing. Even more miraculous is that it happens ever year around this time. Sure, depending on where you live, it might come sooner, or later, but it springtime will eventually show up. As it does every year.

Can you think of a better time of year to celebrate Easter?

Springtime shouts symbolism. It testifies of Christ and his mission. It is a time when all “…all things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth, and all things that are upon the face of it…” (Alma 30:44)

During Easter, we focus on Christ’s overcoming death and sin. We focus on new life, both mortal and spiritual. The witnesses are all around us.

The rebirth of nature, the growth, the beauty all point towards Christ.  I know, I know – it seems pretty obvious – but there is more to it, if you follow it.

The trees and plants that blossom in springtime are preparing to bring forth good fruit, as we are commanded to do. Christ can facilitate that process for us. As he said, “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” (John 15:5) We must depend on him.

All of us go through times of pruning, when the cuts are harsh and painful. We all have our own “currant bush” moments, and we rarely like them – let alone appreciate them. But, as springtime rolls around, and we see that the pruning has resulted in new growth, and greater spiritual health, we can begin to understand that it is part of God’s plan to make us something more, something better, than we have been.

“Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.” (John 15:1–2) Ouch. Yes, it can hurt, but it is so worth it.

Some of us go through periods of time in our lives where we lie dormant as to things of the Spirit. As a seed or bulb begins to stir, the Light of Christ can nudge us to awaken to the possibility that we can be more. The scriptures are full of metaphors about seeds: Seeds as tiny as a mustard seed that can grow into greatness, and seeds that can grow into our own personal Tree of Life.  Through faith, and the enabling power of the Atonement, we can emerge from the dust and become something beautiful, and useful.

Sometimes we enter full-blown hibernation and tuck ourselves away from the light. But when that time comes that we choose to “shake yourselves that ye may awake from the slumber of death,” (Jacob 3:11) the Savior will be there, with arms wide open. If we choose to wake up from our hibernation, and to stagger out of our dark cave of apathy or sin, we will be met by the blinding light of the Savior’s love.

Guaranteed.

Springtime can come at anytime. Forgiveness and purity is there for the taking. Christ has already paid for those sins that we cling to. I’ll repeat that: Christ has already paid for those sins that we cling to. He took upon himself the pain, suffering and justice of those acts we have committed. It is already done. We need merely accept it, and hand that burden off to him.

Because of his death and resurrection, Jesus Christ is responsible for the eventual rebirth of our bodies. Physical salvation.

Because of his atoning sacrifice, Jesus Christ is responsible for the rebirth of our spirits – a rebirth that can happen anytime, anyplace, and as often as required. Spiritual salvation.

“In much of the world it is springtime, a time when the earth, the trees and flowers recover from the dead of winter. Springtime is symbolic of the Savior’s resurrection. Just as spring inspires renewed hope and new life, so does the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This transcendent event of nearly two thousand years ago provides renewal for all who are willing to overcome sin and who seek to pattern their lives after His.” (First Presidency Easter Greeting, 1989)

If you are still caught in the throes of winter, rest assured that it will soon pass. Before you know it, the birds will return, the flowers will bloom, and things will begin to grow again. Wait for it. Watch as it happens. Find the symbolism in everything you see.

If you are already in the midsts of springtime, go outside, smell the air, look at the new life, the color, the growth. Witness the tiny miracles all around you.

And then, as you go to Sacrament meeting today, take a moment and reflect on the miracle of the Savior’s sacrifice. When you partake of the sacrament, celebrate Easter in your heart. Because for a few minutes, most every Sabbath of the year, it is Easter.

It is springtime.

A couple of notes:

1. When I was fact-checking, I was stunned to see that the word “Springtime,” has never been used in General Conference.
2. If you suffer from allergies, and springtime is not kind to you, read this: “God’s Antihistamine.”