Hopeful Spring

I’ve been thinking about the idea of a “hopeful spring” for a couple of weeks now. Seems kind of silly doesn’t it? In the midst of all this chaos, how could a hopeful spring possibly exist anymore? 
But I would argue there is more possibility for a hopeful spring now than ever.

“For I know your power and presence shines on all your lovers. Your glory always hovers over all who bow low before you. Your mercy and your truth have married each other. Your righteousness and peace have kissed. Flowers of your faithfulness are blooming on the earth. Righteousness shines down from the sky. Yes, the Lord keeps raining down blessing after blessing, and prosperity will drench the land with a bountiful harvest.
 For deliverance and peace are his forerunners, preparing a path for his steps.”  - Psalms 85:9-13 TPT

Let’s just pause here and engage with the presence of God. Breathe in His power and presence, His righteousness and peace; exhale worry and unbelief, bondage and pride.
 
This is who the Lord is. He’s with His lovers, His glory is with those who bow low before Him. Flowers of faithfulness are blooming on the earth. Deliverance and peace prepare us for His steps.

And what if His deliverance and peace look different than what we expected it to be?
 
What if He’s using social distancing and self-quarantining to bring us into deliverance and peace, to prepare us for His steps?

What if He’s using this pandemic for our good?
 What if He’s calling us to lean into Him and making it easy for us to do that?

I don’t know any of these things for certain, but I still choose to believe that a hopeful spring is coming. Why? Because God isn’t absent in the midst of chaos—He’s actually very present. If He can tame chaos and turn it into all of Creation in Genesis 1, He can do it again.
 
In the midst of isolation, of social distancing, of boredom, press into God. Press into the Creator Himself and give Him space to create in your life again. Worship Him, talk with Him, sit with Him, read His word. Process your worry and stress with Him. Ask Him for help.

Whatever it looks like for you, lean into Him. Don’t shy away or allow isolation to plant the seed of complacency. Be proactive in the process—be a part of the bountiful harvest mentioned in Psalm 85.
 
A hopeful spring means new life is coming—new flowers, new growth, new freedom. Flowers of the Lord’s faithfulness will bloom in your life if you give the Creator space to create again. He’s the God of the mountain, but He’s also the God of the valley.

Author | Elizabeth Sprinkle