It is cherry blossom festival time, here in our neck of the woods, and they are simply stunning.
Instead of fighting the crowds around the Tidal Basin, my family and I like to enjoy the blooming trees in our neighborhood.
I recently learned the meaning of the cherry blossom, through my church newsletter, The Connection. I'd love to share it with you here:
"Though Cherry Blossoms exist outside of Japan, the symbolic meaning derived from Japan is often the most popular one. Cherry blossoms symbolize the beauty and brevity of life. It reminds us that our lives are always fleeting, to borrow the apostle James' language, our lives are vapors of air. But there's more. Cherry Blossoms also symbolize people's pinnacle of existence. All our success, joy, happiness in this life has a climax which is doomed to die quickly. Therefore, one of the highest desires for the human being in Japanese culture is to leave this earth at your greatest moment of existence--because it's all down hill from there."
Of course, as Christians, we live with a very different view of life. The Bible tells us, over and over again, that for the believer, our best days are yet to come! One day, we will enjoy Paradise with God Himself, living eternally with renewed bodies, in perfect, joyous fellowship with Him and with one another. No amount of earthly success or worldly identity could ever compare with the perfect fulfillment and purpose we enjoy with Christ, both now and for eternity. Because of Him, we will never have to endure death, but instead can enjoy resurrection and eternal life!
So, dear friend, as we marvel at the beauty and new-life on display at springtime, may we glory in the assurance of our eternal and undeserved position we have with Christ. May the beauty of the gospel give you life and joy this week, dear friend, as you take in the wonder of the cherry blossom!
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