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IT’S SPRING (at least here in the Netherlands)

With spring comes new life!

In fact, my wife has planted lettuce, spices and flowers that are now populating our windowsill, because at the moment it is still too cold for them to be outside. Spring is wonderful time –  the weather warms and the sun shines. It symbolizes growth, rebirth and so many other wonderful things.

Unfortunately for me spring also symbolizes allergies. 

Yes, the seasonal runny nose, itchy eyes and non-stop sneezing is back again. No matter how many allergy pills I take from whatever kind they never really seem to be able to stop it. Lessen it perhaps a bit, but always there.

And I don’t think I am the only one.

Uncomfortable growth

I find it no coincidence that a time of year that symbolizes growth, also means discomfort for many people.

Because that is the truth about growth isn’t it? We like to think of growing and learning as fun. But most of the time it is a really uncomfortable, difficult process. Something you have to suffer through to get the enjoyable “summer.”

And it’s really no different when it comes to spiritual growth. In Hebrews 12:5-6 it says:

And in verse 11 it continues

The Lords Discipline

Its interesting to think about the Lord disciplining us for the purpose of our growth.

Just as a humanly father or parent disciplines their child so they can grow up well, so our Father in heaven disciplines us so we can mature in our spiritual faith. This is a very hard concept to think about.

The question naturally arises – will the Lord purposefully bringing suffering in my life to discipline me? And the answer to that is – I don’t know. 

Its possible.

Jesus himself suffered. He was sent by the Father to earth for that very purpose. And are we greater than Jesus? It says in Hebrews 5:8 that Jesus “learned obedience through what he suffered.” 

He Loves You

Nonetheless I think the important thing to remember is that the Lord disciplines those he LOVES.

Just as a human Father will discipline for a short time because he loves you and wants the best for you, so our heavenly Father will do the same. What the discipline looks like – I don’t know. But it is done for your growth and because of His Love. Its not nice, but it is necessary.

So my encouragement for you this week is this:

If you are going through a hard time right now, there are no words that I could ever write that could be of comfort. So I won’t try. But as hard as it might be, I encourage you to try, just try, to muster up a thank you to the God almighty for the difficulty you are experiencing. A thank you that despite it all, He loves you unconditionally.

And maybe, just maybe, you will someday look back at this moment in time and be able to see the hand of God through it all.

Until next time,

Be Blessed,

Aaron

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