After a long cold winter there is nothing we look forward to more than having a sunny day, taking a walk in the bright, warm sunshine and seeing the flowers peeking up through the ground. It’s a sign that the cold of winter has given way to the warmth of spring.

Easter is synonymous with spring and spring speaks of new life, fresh hope, a clean garage, de-cluttered closets, and simplified, uncluttered lives. Maybe this season is for you:  hope for a positive change this Easter.

The Hardness of Winter

In the heart of winter many years ago there was a man who found himself sitting in a very chilly, sparsely furnished living room. He sat on a well-worn couch, staring at the small portable TV while the glitz and pomp of New Year’s Day parades droned on. His mind was dwelling on the hopelessness of life. The parades were periodically interrupted by news breaks of the latest global crisis, along with occasional experts offering their bleak outlook. It seemed that the world at large accurately manifested the inward state of the man who was depressed, hung over, and without any apparent avenue of escape or change. It was the cold, hard winter of 1980, a winter very similar to this past one.

Maybe, not unlike this man’s story, life has been as cold and indifferent for you as this past winter. This man’s job was mediocre and paid most, but not all of the bills. He had no clarity, no hope, and a gnawing inward dissatisfaction with himself and his condition.

The Changing of Seasons

It was in this place that a quiet voice came to offer the man hope and change. God’s Holy Spirit asked him a question, “How has life been, with you living for yourself and personal pleasure?” The Holy Spirit continued, “If you want change, I am offering a life as a disciple; a living testimony of the grace of Jesus Christ.” The invitation was open-ended, but carried an unspoken sense of being a limited-time opportunity.

This invitation for change is a classic story we see played out time and again throughout the gospels. Jesus came to common fishermen and offered an invitation to “come follow Me”. That same invitation to change was offered to religious men, tax collectors, and numerous other men and women throughout the New Testament period and down through the ages. Saul was on his way to persecute and kill Christians when he was challenged in this same way by Jesus. He, like many others for the past two millennia, took Jesus up on the offer of change; this offer of absolution for sin when men and women confess their offenses, failings, weaknesses, and give their wounded hearts to The One who can forgive, heal, and deliver. The gracious disposition of Christ is due to His great love, sacrifice, and resurrection power to make a difference for humanity.

The Hope of Spring

Easter is a wonderful time of year, and not just because of spring and new life in the natural. It is the time we celebrate the Father raising Christ from the dead to be seen by hundreds. We celebrate the Messiah revealed and the power of God displayed. Not only that, we also celebrate the signature of all authority given to Jesus to overcome and conquer the evil one.

I am a living example of His gracious disposition and His willingness to save, heal, and deliver, because in 1980 He came to me with the offer of change during a hard winter just like this past one. He has been true, faithful and enduring. I continue to be amazed at what He can do with a simple man, a willing heart, and a desire to change. My prayer is that you meet this Jesus who brings resurrection life in the midst of your challenges. His offer stands in the quiet place of your heart and He awaits your decision to accept His offer of a life change. He did His work on Easter 2000 years ago, and now the ball is in your court to lean on and rely on Him. May you have a very blessed Easter in 2014, and may the warmth of spring thaw the winter of your soul!