The sweet smell of the new blossoms on the trees and the powerful rich and organic aroma of each one of countless billions of plants now sprouting forcefully and yet gracefully through the soil or producing fresh shoots filled the early spring air. It seemed rightly as though all of creation had been touched by the finger and blessing of God. Not the hardest hearted bully could walk to school on a morning such as this and miss the distinct aroma of life. Weeks earlier, the snow had been thick and heavy. We had joyfully missed school that day. But now it seemed as though the heat of the sun was baking off the lifelessness of a long and cold winter. But there was something even sweeter in the air, at least for most kids on their way to school on mornings such as these. Just as each sunny morning brought a seemingly more invigorated nature, so too each morning brought with it the excitement that soon, no matter how much homework Mrs. Baxter wanted to give us, she couldn't. We were to be set free. So even homework took on an air of joyful anticipation as the days quickened to meet the summer break. I spent much of my time day dreaming about my grandparents' cabin in the mountains west of Denver. We would be there soon. It seemed sitting there at my desk that I could smell the wonderful aroma of coffee, bacon and an early morning cigarette. It seemed as though I could see the smiling face of my grandmother as she was preparing breakfast for us. And I could hear deep in my heart the joyful gurgling and babbling of the creek behind the cabin.
As the days draw nearer, well aware that we don't know when, we as the redeemed in Christ have been given the most sacred hope of the resurrection. And for those who are in Christ, the whisperings of that day in nature, in civilization and in the church, are much like the blossoms on the trees as we look forward to that glorious day, when sin and death finally meet their end and life everlasting takes shape within us and before our very eyes. As an adult, I look forward to summer, but no longer with an eager anticipation. We who have been given freely the blood of Christ, those who have been given the blessed hope of the resurrection have a day, much like the end of school, which we look longingly towards. For those who aren't in Christ, that day isn't joyful, but terrifying. But for us, when that trumpet blows its sweet heavenly call, it won't fall painfully on our ears. That call will be matched by the most dramatic and wonderful event in all of nature and in all of our history as sons and daughters of Adam (barring one).
Your assignment this week is to sit down to a spiritual meal. Read 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
and then ponder that day, do you smell the blossoms on the trees?
Have a glorious week reflecting on Jesus gift of resurrection!
