by Victoria Heinecke

Making hearts warmer.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse;
    from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.”
Isaiah 9:1 New International Version (NIV)

It’s the beginning of Spring. At the higher altitudes of northern Colorado Springs, we must wait a little longer for our leaves and flowers. While my friends post photos of their flowers on social media, I look around and see a lot of brown grass and bare trees. However, the birds are already singing, and that’s encouraging.

It is not unusual for us to see snowfall even in late April. We don’t get much precipitation here, and we have to irrigate our lawns and gardens with drinking water. Any moisture we get from the heavens, especially in the prolonged drought we’re experiencing, is welcome, even when it’s snowing.

The snow also adds a chill to Lent. Waiting for Easter can sometimes feel like sitting on a snow-covered metal park bench in the shade. It’s uncomfortable, cold upon cold upon cold. It’s wet, too.

Will spring ever arrive? Will Messiah ever come?

By all means, yes! And he has come!

“As the rain and the snow
    come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
    without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
    so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
    It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
    and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.“
Isaiah 55:10-11 NIV

Preparing our hearts and renewing our souls for God during Lent, we cling to his promises. Ever since the Fall in Eden, God has promised a Savior to redeem us and bring us to eternal relationship with him. God sent us Jesus to achieve his purpose, because he never wants to lose us. That assurance is heartwarming, even when it’s cold outside.

Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado