Sermon On A Spring In The Step

Anne Bradstreet, an early English poet and author who resided in North America, once remarked: “If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant: if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.” Song of Solomon 2:11-12 confirms: “For behold, the winter is past; the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth, the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land.”

Spring is defined as the season after winter and before summer, in which vegetation begins to appear, in the northern hemisphere from March to May and in the southern hemisphere from September to November. It is often considered as a time for new growth, new thinking and inevitable change. The days get gradually longer and there is often to be found, a spring in the step as the dark days of winter draw to a close. A spring in the step often signifies happiness or gaiety. It is a symbol of elation, energy and liveliness.

Spring is often renowned for rebirth or new life. Plant life regenerates with buds or blooms after a dormant period and wildlife may emerge from hibernation. Trees produce foliage and may blossom with flowers. Birds that have migrated to warmer climates at the start of winter, return to their homeland and build a nest for comfort and security. The countryside takes on a different form and bursts into life with vibrant colour to welcome in the new season that has become a favorite for so many. Psalm 104:10 reminds us: “You make springs gush forth in the valleys; they flow between the hills.”

Spring cleaning often becomes an urge in some people’s lives. It is a time for dispensing with the old and replacing with the new. Redecoration, that renews or invigorates may feature as a part of this new drive The preparation for summer begins in earnest. As the days become warmer, this encourages activity for fair-weather enthusiasts. Walks, jogging and runs become more pronounced and the world begins to display a conspicuous coruscating and healthy lifestyle.

For farmers, and those who work the land, it is a time for guerdon and prosperity as seeds that have been carefully planted begin to germinate. They display the crown of success with signs of life for new vegetation that is so necessary for survival. Deuteronomy 11:14 confirms: “He will give the rain for your land in its season, the early rain and the later rain, that you may gather in your grain and your wine and your oil.”

One of the parables of Jesus informs us of the exigency to sow our seeds in life carefully. This not only relates to anything we plant for the purpose of sustenance or pleasure, but to life in general. If we choose carefully and sow our seeds in fertile soil for the purpose of abundant goodness, then the reward returned for our efforts can be most gratifying. Matthew 13:1-9 informs us: “That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. And great crowds gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat down. And the whole crowd stood on the beach. And he told them many things in parables, saying:

“A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He who has ears, let him hear.”

There are several significant interpretations of the moral contained in this narrative. Each has its own definitive conception. If we consider this story as a realistic analogy between the relationship between God and mankind, then one school of thought might suggest that the man who sows could be deemed to represent God and His good works. The seeds that He sows could be constituted as messages of advice and guidance for good and rewarding growth, unless we refuse to open our ears and take heed of them. Provision is made for every eventuality in life, but like the seeds that fall on impoverished areas, so some of His meaningful words fall on deaf ears. Just as bad or poor quality ground may reject the possible fruitfulness of new seeds planted, so the same applies for some in a relationship with God.

The choice of acceptance or rejection of God is an individual decision. However, if we are to have a healthy and beneficial relationship with Him, just as the good seed sown provides rewarding results when sown into fertile ground, we also need to accept and take heed of the words of God which are provided for our ultimate benefit and reward. As a result, we may suddenly find that we too, may experience a new spring in our step.