Spiritual Refreshing: Why We Need Spring

There’s that moment when winter transitions to spring where hope blooms.
All that was covered by snow is suddenly revealed: bare trees, muddy lawns, and leaves from last fall. It isn’t pretty. However, it is brief.

If you look closely you’ll see the hope of spring in the crocuses that pop up from the ground next to a still-melting chunk of snow. If you listen you’ll hear birds coming home after wintering where it is warm. If you smell discerningly you’ll notice the faint hint of earth that is ready for new growth. 

The hope of spring is here. Refreshment is on its way.

And so it can be in our spiritual lives at times. I have spent periods where my faith feels like it has wintered. I don’t know about you, but I could use some spiritual refreshing right now. Weary from the prolonged pandemic, global social unrest, and war, I’m ready for a refresh for my soul.

Spring in Old English means to burst forth, to grow, to open. I find this to be a helpful metaphor for my spiritual life at the moment.  Using spring as a metaphor for my faith allows me to remember that the cold and death that winter brings isn’t the end. There are rhythms to faith that allow me to be hopeful that new life is on its way.

My faith is a journey of growth. I don’t simply arrive at the end of my growth and stay there. My faith continues to grow, from seed to plantling to blossom to death and to new life. Growth is always a part of the plan. Even now, as winter thaws into spring, I am reminded that new growth awaits!  

There is preparation before rebirth and new growth. The flowerbeds in front of my house need some work. They need to be cleaned of old leaves and weeds. Old annuals need their dead stems removed. The soil could use some turning over. New seeds need to be planted.

Likewise, the flowerbed of my faith is not beyond saving. There is work to be done. There are new practices to try and old ones to dust off. The preparation for spiritual renewal is all part of the journey. Spiritual refreshing may be hard work, but it is rewarding.

This spring, we are beyond containment. We are cracking open windows and stirring soil that has long-lived laden. I need space to awaken my home and heart this spring, to let the spirit of season soak in and refresh me, to break loose and experience something fresh. (ya feel me?)

Spring’s refreshment helps us dust off the dust (listen to Everyday Sanctuary’s Dust Off the Dust podcast episode here). Our spirits long to shake the cold and snow of winter and burst forth with new life.

Song of Solomon 2:11-12 says, “For behold, the winter is past. The rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth. The time of the singing has come.”

As the ground thaws and the trees prepare for new growth, you may be yearning for new growth and wondering how to start a spiritual journey. 

Everyday Sanctuary's new book, Spring Refresh: A Refreshing Daily Faith Practice for Spring, is 6 weeks of simple spiritual practice you can do in as little as 5 minutes a day. Each week includes the wisdom of Breath, Presence, Prayer, Scripture, and Gratitude.

At home or In community, Spring Refresh guides you to have a satisfying spiritual practice, and each week’s small group guide encourages gathered time with others to share and reflect together. Click here to Order Spring Refresh at Amazon.com.

Each week’s daily focus brings inspiration and intent to your journey this spring. 

Let Spring Refresh be a part of your spiritual refreshing. Open up. Grow deep. Burst into bloom. Experience a refresh.

Brian Lothridge
Pastor | Writer | Peace and Justice Advocate