Signs of New Life

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Spring is a special time in New Zealand, our natural beauty is enhanced by the emerging signs of new life: blossoms, ducklings, baby lambs and the appearance of The Human—Lycra-clad, rounded, with a distinctive joggle (not to be confused with a jog).

Our Pacific neighbours also have distinctive seasons, marked by changes in weather patterns and the planting and harvest seasons. Our winters are more marked and we tend to hibernate through the cooler months, and this year the hibernation has been very real.

As we emerge into spring, it is a good time for us to take stock; to reflect on our attitudes, fears and defeats, and examine what place these thoughts have in our lives and our thinking.

In 2 Corinthians 10:3–6 (MSG), it gives us a good understanding of why and how we should undertake this mindful spring clean. It says,

‘The world is unprincipled. It’s dog-eat-dog out there! The world doesn’t fight fair. But we don’t live or fight our battles that way—never have and never will. The tools of our trade aren’t for marketing or manipulation, but they are for demolishing that entire massively corrupt culture. We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ...’

As we take stock, as we take time for self-examination, may we emerge into a new season with Christ in the preeminent place in our lives.

Vivienne Hill
Editor

If God is your partner, make your plans big!
DL Moody

Bible Verse

1 Corinthians 2:16
‘…for, “Who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.’

1 Koriniti 2:16
‘Ko wai hoki te mātau ana ki te hinengaro o te Ariki, e whakaako ai ia i a ia?’ Kei a tātou ia te hinengaro o te Karaiti.