Spring Has Come

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Five weeks ago I had a yearning for spring, for a freshness to come to my soul in the weeks leading up to Easter Week. Also encouraged by a special 40-day focus that Campus Crusade for Christ asked all their staff to take part in (in any way we chose), I have felt the fresh winds of spring coming.

The daffodils in our yard are blooming, the leaves are budding on our trees and bushes, the grass is turning green ... and my heart is experiencing some new life from these 40 days leading up to Easter. The dry, dull shades of the outdoors are turning into the soft, refreshing colors of spring.

This taking time to focus, to spend time listening is bringing spring to my soul. 

"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion?

Come to Me. Get away with Me and you'll recover your life.

I'll show you how to take a real rest.

Walk with Me and work with Me - watch how I do it.

Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.

I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you.

Keep company with Me, 

and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."

(Matthew 11:28-30 The Message)

We are made for intimacy with our Maker, and sometimes we need to make a conscious effort to slow ourselves down, and to keep company with Him. This keeping company, this walking with, and working with Him takes on different forms for each of us. For me, I decided to purposefully connect with Him more throughout the day by taking extra moments to read His Words, to listen. Not just in the mornings, but throughout the day. Slowing my work from time to time, pulling out my Jesus Calling book, or my Face to Face book, my Reading through the Bible Plan, or just sitting down with my journal. Having His Spirit within all through the day, as always, but taking time to pause in my daily activities, and to read and listen. Often a real effort, as I have to stop other things I am involved in. 

And I will not stop this connecting, this keeping company throughout the day. This pausing of my work to check and read His texting, or to read a post He has written, or to pick up the phone and hear His voice. For His Word is "alive and powerful"  (Hebrews 4:12) ... and most every time I stop to listen, I am drawn into deeper intimacy. Receiving just what I need for the moment, receiving fresh insight, hearing His heart regarding the situation I am finding myself in. And also, a two-way communication ... sharing my thoughts with Him as I listen. Connecting all through the day, just as I do with my family and close friends. I drop everything to read their texting, their posts and emails, to listen to their phone calls ...

Spring is in the air ... all because of Jesus, who made it possible for us to have connection with God. And also made possible by the gift of His Spirit within. My heart is experiencing Easter ...  

Loving Lord, thank You that we can walk with You, keep company with You, every day and all day ... that You long to shower Your Love and Peace on us each day, every moment. In every season and every day ... even today. 

Linked to Walk with Him Wednesdays