By Weldon Tisdale, Chaplain

I’ve concluded that spring may be the most profound of the seasons. Its meaning and promise, and how to experience it, are worth dwelling upon. Spring is the season of hope – that things will get better after they were worse.

“If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant,” wrote English poet Anne Bradstreet. “If we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.”

After the cold dark days of winter, where life seems to be on the verge of collapse and purpose is blurred, spring comes to the rescue bringing renewed hope, joy, clarity and salvation from the dark.

Spring signifies coming out of the darkness. We’ve tipped the balance from longer nights to longer days. We call the first day of spring the vernal equinox. Equinox basically means “equal night” of light and dark, and metaphorically, we should spend more time in the light.

There’s even some science to the joy of spring. Research suggests that for many people, the extended daylight boosts mood, wellbeing and energy. It’s also the time for spring cleaning and ridding your life of those things you don’t need any more and maybe some bad spirits and bad habits.

Sometimes in order to come into a new season and spring forward in faith, we have to let go of the old season. Isaiah 43:18 NIV says, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.” One of life’s many lessons teaches us to let go. We should not hang on to past hurts, past struggles, and past relationships. And sometimes this means we must give ourselves time to grieve in order to move forward.

As spring starts to surface and the trees begin to bloom, we can see God’s reminder to align our hearts to the new thing He’s doing. Prepare to spring forward into His purpose.

As we enter a new season, if you would like to schedule a time to meet with the Chaplain or to leave a prayer request, please contact Chaplain Tisdale at 918.346.6607.