The day and the seasons serve as extended visuals, metaphors even, in a framework for understanding new life in Christ.
“The Mighty One, God the LORD,
speaks and summons the earth
from the rising of the sun to its setting.”
-Psalm 50:1 (ESV)
If we look at the day, each morning at the dawning of the sun, we see new life, an awakening. The sun gives light throughout the day, and then it sets. Darkness sets in. Death comes to the day. But each morning the sun breaks forth again. We reawaken; there is life.
So too with the seasons: spring is the beginning of new life. The grass turns vibrantly green, birds resume their song, the flowers—eager to show their splendor—emerge from the ground in stunningly brilliant colors. Any yet, the heat of summer begins to dull them. Fall initiates further change. The trees’ leaves make a last show of it, in their dying, shouting:
“Hey, look at me! I am still beautiful. I am Orange. I am Yellow. I am Deep Red. See me. I am here.”
But the finality of winter says that you too must die: even the leaves on the trees. And yet—how glorious each spring—they each, in turn, see new life; some reawaken and some are newly planted. The cycle continues.
What is Easter though? Is its new life just part of the cycle? Is it simply a rebirth, a reawakening? It fits the metaphor, and it rightly occurs during spring.
Easter reminds us that Jesus’ death was not the end for him. He was brought back to life: to live new life. Easter—Christ’s “new life,” his resurrection—is not literally repeated each year. He died once. He rose once. His death and resurrection are what we celebrate each year at Easter. The one-time event is played out over and over again in the Easter celebration, even in the seasons, and in the cycle of the day; these events remind us. These events point us to the greater work of God—to the bigger and more amazing event that has already happened in Jesus and that we wait for: new life is promised to those who love him.
God reminds us each Easter, each spring, each day of what he has done and what he will do. He shows us, calling us to follow, to believe, to be a part of the beautiful event that plays out before our eyes each day, each season, each Easter, to have new life, fuller life, rebirth, renewal, and a reawakening that is similar to Christ’s resurrection and yet his is so much more glorious than these extended visual reminders.
He calls us to new life in Him.
By Keeley Chorn, www.keeleychorn.com
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Shannon Wheeler says
I always love seeing our Creator God speaking of His glory through His creation! Thank you for pointing all of this back to Him! Have a blessed Resurrection Sunday!
Keeley Chorn says
Thank you. He is risen! I hope you have a beautiful day of worship.
Visualizing New Life in Christ | Keeley Chorn says
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Linda says
I’m so glad to have found your blog — you and I have much in common, especially your passion to help Africans. I signed up to recieve your blog posts by e-mail and I look forward to getting better acquainted. Thanks for the ways you’ve already blessed me.
Linda
Keeley Chorn says
I’m so glad to hear that we have a shared passion! I look forward to getting to know you better too.
Bianca says
Keeley-
I find it fascinating how you draw the similarities of the often overlooked miracle of each day’s passage from darkness, to light, to darkness (sunset, sunrise, sunset). With some other teachings I have followed, this also reminds me that there is a time for everything- a time to be awaken, and to discover and a time to gather our thoughts, in reflexion, as we get ready to finish the day and the darkness sets in, and our souls go to rest. I think that only through a daily reflection of the daily miracle of light vs darkness we can become closer to God and bring forth our true potential and mission- as we gain clarity on the miracle he presents us with and honoring him through an understanding of our own journey and an awareness of his daily prescence in our lives. It is also interesting now to think that the sunset and the sunrise are there, everyday, for us who are lucky enough to experience it- we dont have to worry that one day the sun will not rise- it reminds me of the Bible verse that says something along the lines of “God will provide” And he does, daily- it is more clear to me now that he provides me daily with a new opportunity to discover and enjoy and honor what he gives, and how I dont need to worry that I will be let down, for as I mentioned, the sun rises and sets without me even have to worry about it- and God provides- and it is more clear to me now that what he gives I cannot share until I discover, accept and cherish Him and His miracles, which is a daily journey- the journey of life.
Thank you for such an insightful post.
Bianca
Keeley Chorn says
Bianca,
Thank you for your beautiful reflections as well. I so love everything you’ve shared about what you’ve been learning in your own faith journey. It is so beautiful to learn that God does provide, each day, for us, and he does so because he loves us. I really used to worry about what the future was going to hold for me (still do sometimes), but not until I could understand his loving care for me each day, could I begin to have confidence in living and not spending my time worrying about what might be. How true that we can’t share what he’s given us until we learn to discover it first, accept it and cherish him. It is a daily journey, for sure.
Thanks for your comments and addition to the conversation!
Keeley