Spring is Coming

I spotted him the minute I looked out the living room window this morning—a Red-winged Blackbird. According to naturalist Stan Tekiela,[1] “It is a sure sign of spring when the Red-winged Blackbirds return to the marsh.”

It doesn’t feel like spring with temperatures still in the 20s and skies cloudy, but all the snow and ice have melted after this week’s awful ice storm. Something is happening as it always does heading into springtime. We can’t see them, but there are incremental changes that the birds instinctively understand better than we humans.

In the spiritual realm I’ve seen this play out in my life. The days move along in the usual routine. Slowly I sense something shifting in my heart. Recently God revealed a sin pattern I’ve followed for years—driving over the speed limit.  As I read a chapter in our new study book and the author asked the question, “To what human authorities do you find it difficult to submit? Why? What is your usual response?” the Holy Spirit brought to mind my speeding habit. At first, I shrugged it off. Everyone does it. I’m just keeping up with traffic. Then I realized Who was talking to me. “Lord, forgive me!” I said out loud. That was it. I’ve turned from wrong to right, from disobedience to the law to obedience in one prayer session.

It’s not been easy. I’ve had to adjust my departure times, and I need to set my cruise control differently. I feel a sense of freedom, though, knowing I can’t possibly get a speeding ticket. The Bible says, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free…But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature;” Galatians 5:1,13. Because of Jesus, we are free to live for Him, obey the law of God, and obey the laws of government.

Keep your eyes peeled for the early signs of spring, and you’ll feel rewarded by glories you see and hear. Keep you heart open to the Holy Spirit’s nudges and you’ll be surprised at the growth God may produce as you trust and obey.

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[1] Birds of Illinois Field Guide by Stan Tekiela Copyright 1999