Celebrating Spring, Celebrating You

May is oftentimes depicted as the month in which spring is truly sprung: from Shakespeare’s ‘darling buds of May’ to the romantic raptures offered by ‘Springtime in Paris’ not to mention for those who are fashion inclined the month that Spring/Summer collections are available in their entirety, and not just in exciting but potentially frustrating, weekly ‘drops’. 

For readers in the northern hemisphere the longer evenings with balmier weather give ample opportunity for al fresco socialising with friends and for those of us living in the tropics, as I now do, the rainy season also brings with it verdant expectancy. As the raindrops drum a rhythm on my rooftop that is entirely of God’s composition, I am struck by how we are still, tech driven life aside, so intrinsically bound to nature, its seasons and its promptings for renewal.

This May will also see the conclusion of Eastertide; the Christian season most closely connected to new life and beginnings. Whilst Christmas heralded Jesus’ arrival, it is at Easter that his purpose and indeed his Divine nature are unequivocally revealed.

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.” John10:10

Since, beginning my very sporadic, but (promise) heartfelt journey into blogging about my faith, time, one’s end destination and one’s purpose in one’s lifespan on earth have often preoccupied my mind. I have written previously about the feeling of having ‘missed your purpose’ or taken ‘too many wrong turns’ for anything vaguely resembling a harvest to be reaped. But as the verse above reveals this is a lie of the Enemy. The theft of moments when one could have been most productive, the death of hope and inspiration and the destruction of trust and joy are all Team Red specialties. The trick and it is a life-long one for all believers, is to focus on the second part of this verse when Jesus proclaims both his mission and purpose: he came that we may have life and not any old life either, but one that is lived to its fullest.

So what does this life to the fullest look like? As with everything it is particular to our individual purposes. I recently started a CCC Instagram page for people to post and share their Christo journeys. As the posts grew in number one of the posters (the brilliant and multi-talented Ijeoma Ogbechie – check her out on IG at @ijay_og or @letslens) created two beautiful video montages in the posts below. The songs chosen to accompany both videos are also significant and speak to the Easter Season. ‘Ordinary People’ by the Grammy Award Winning Gospel Superstars Mary Mary, speaks to the fact that Jesus, came for regular people. Not special, just ordinary; and it is through his divine love that these individuals both experience and realise their true potential. The only caveat is that we are open to his love and to receiving it in all of its fullness. The second song, ‘Love’ is by Musiq Soulchild, an RnB superstar, whose secular hit has often been used in ministry sessions. All of us believers know that God is Love and if one listens to the lyrics one can see how they translate both to prosaic romantic love and the divine, without end love.

I am fortunate to know all of the extraordinary ladies who have participated so far. In some instances I have witnessed both their challenges and triumphs but what I also see in all of them is real-life witness to a God led life, beautiful shots aside. I hope these posts allow readers to not only celebrate them, but participate in articulating and living out our beliefs. Please join us and comment below as we continue to create a vibrant, honest, non-judgmental space for people of faith to just be.