Beginning Anew

Easter is a time of new beginnings. There is no doubt about that. Just look across creation and you can see the birthing process awakened in the womb of mother nature. My favorite illustration of this is the dogwood tree. Like all deciduous trees, she is dressed to the nines in her bright fall finery. Her leaves become brittle, fall off and decay. Throughout the winter she lays bare, her branches stark and cold. But in the spring, you begin to see the budding promise of new life. Her flowers blossom and she shines like a bride adorned for her wedding.

In this Easter season, I have experienced firsthand that God indeed makes all things new. We become stronger in the broken places. And when we rest in Him, we can bloom where we are planted. When you finally find yourself belonging somewhere and you begin to feel comfortable in your own skin, the roots run deep and new life can flourish.

So, this summer I will be an intern again. Good. I'm glad for a chance to relearn what I've forgotten and a chance to unlearn that which has harmed me. I'm looking forward to redefining what it means for me: being minister and musician, leader and follower. I'm eagerly anticipating the journey, which will undoubtedly bring promise, peace and pain.