I awoke this morning to the new month and to this thought — spring is coming! I love the return of blooming things and warmer winds. My winter-weary heart leaps for joy at the thought of baby animals and evening walks. I crave the loosening up of the world, battened down tightly against winter, now unfurling itself by degrees, checking tentatively to see if it’s safe to come out and play. I love breathing in the air that doesn’t seem to bite as it enters my chest. I love the softness and the beauty of the spring world!

But then I came across this scripture. “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them.” (1 John 2:15) Hmmm. I fall in love with our magnolia tree each year. Is that what John is talking about? I ADORE beautiful sunsets and simply cannot keep from taking way too many pictures of them. Am I off focus? Do I need a re-calibration?

As I pondered this possibility throughout the morning, I thought back to something else beautiful that I was once utterly enthralled with: an engagement ring. When my love first asked me to marry him, many years ago, as soon as I said yes, he produced a beautiful diamond ring and placed it carefully on my finger. I was overwhelmed. The gorgeous ring, the exciting future laid out before me… my head was spinning! As soon as we got back to my house I couldn’t wait to show my parents, soon followed by college roommates, coworkers, and pretty much anyone else who would indulge me. “Look! I’m engaged!” I would proclaim, holding out my left hand to be admired.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I was right to like that ring. It was certainly the most elegant thing *I* had ever possessed! But when It came down to it, what I actually loved most about the ring was the story that it told. It loudly proclaimed that I was in love and that I was loved. I was wanted and treasured by someone fantastic. I had a beautiful future in store and was ready to celebrate!

So going back to the beauty of the physical world around us, it occurred to me that I do love it for the natural beauty that it offers, but I love it even more because of the story that it tells. The rebirth of the magnolia blossoms each spring tell of hope renewed and of life after death. The heartbreaking beauty of a stunning sunset reminds me that, despite the cold and wearisome world, beautiful endings are possible. The preciousness of a baby chick being protected by her mother renews my confidence in a God who draws me under the shelter of His wings, as well. In other words, I love the work of art that this world is because it draws my attention to the Artist. For all beauty ultimately speaks of the Beautiful One.

So am I in love with the world? Well, I cannot say that there are not ways in which my heart probably still requires pruning in this area. But this I can say with confidence: when I am enraptured by the beauty of nature, it is because I am enraptured by a beautiful God. When I think of the beauty in the heart and mind of the One who could create a wild rose or a red tailed hawk, my voice catches and my throat feels tight with emotion. He is truly amazing! To admire the art is to praise the architect. And the coming of spring nearly always brings me to this place of adoration.

I hope you, too, will be awake to the beauty of this spring as it unfolds. I hope it will transport you to admire the One who gave us all beauty as well as the senses to perceive it. Enjoy!