Donna Bucher
Apr 1, 2025
Though hidden, life prepares for emergence in spring.
In what seems like an overnight arrival, the signs of the hope hidden within spring’s awakening, stun my senses as I walk from the parking lot to my office. Each of the half dozen maple trees boast a myriad of red buds, the large birch tree sports tiny green leaves, and the timid green fingers of daffodils and tulips point upward, as the gay song of busy robins escorts me to the door.
Nestled in the heart of spring’s awakening rests an unshaken Hope displayed in creation’s preparatory signs of a new season dawning.
Perhaps my tendency of speeding into my days prevents me from noticing spring’s wonder until it emerges in full splendor, but the signs of spring this year captivated me earlier than I remember. Speaking a delightful lesson from the Lord on the hope hidden within spring’s arrival, the awakening of slumbering plants and wildlife remind us of life yet unseen.
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:1
Life Hidden in the Heart of Spring
On a brief walk around my garden, multiple signs of spring greet me in every corner. All of which lay hidden not many days before. Marveling each year at the appearance of tiny buds on barren trees and shrubs, along with little green points emerging from soft soil, spring feels like magic to me.
Life shrouded in death slumbers in the womb of winter’s stillness awaiting the whisper of the dawn of spring’s awakening.
Though hidden, life prepares for emergence in spring. Held within the life source of trees and shrubs, buds slowly form over winter months, peeking out as sun caresses rough limbs. Root systems of perennials thicken and spread, gathering nourishment from the soil. Bulbs planted, divide and multiply while strengthening and maturing. All remains unseen preparatory work, predicated on the unchangeable hope of the return of spring.
Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.
John 12:24
Not only does creation’s hidden work of life reveal hope, but our own garden planting reveals the inner confidence we harbor of a promised harvest. Many people start seedlings indoors which they then plant outside once the spring weather stabilizes. All with the confident hope of seeds dead in the earth breaking forth in new life at the right time. Our preparation rests in a promised hope of new plants come spring. Yet with the first sprouts, we practically jump for joy seeing this hope realized.
For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
Romans 8:25
The Hidden Hope of Spring
Teeming with new life, spring echoes the glorious resurrection theme. After winter’s barrenness and darkness, trees, shrubs and plants prepare for the emergence of new life while robins, sparrows and wrens tirelessly build nests fit for welcoming offspring.
As Christ’s body rested in the tomb three days and three nights, death and darkness quenched the hope His followers possessed in the Kingdom and rescue they anticipated. Waiting centuries for the promised Messiah who would free them from persecution, while establishing an everlasting Kingdom of God, they now saw only the death of everything they once believed.
Yet what they could not see was Christ wielding death and darkness in the greatest rescue mission of all time. For using death and darkness to defeat death and darkness, His sacrificial death not only cancelled their sin, but secured eternal life for them. (1 Corinthians 15:54-58)
The hidden Hope of spring speaks the resurrection story with every appearance of new life from the darkness of earth and womb.
The Joy of the empty tomb bursts upon us with each sign of renewed life and vigor throughout creation. Infusing our souls afresh with His promise to make all things new. God’s resurrection hope hidden in the heart of spring invites us into a place of release. The true magnificence of spring’s hope unleashes the restrictions in the places where winter lingers in negativity, grief, fear of the future, or uncertainty.
Our Lord has written the promise of Resurrection, not in books alone, but in every leaf in springtime.
Martin Luther
Spring’s new life reminds us even in the hard places of our lives hope promises new beginnings. As I gaze over my gardens, seeing the dead stalks and dried leaves of last season’s beauty, the resurrection story echoes spring’s anthem — out of death’s remnants rises new life.
A new life which lavishly clothes our souls with new growth possibilities, unfolding in the beauty of transformation from apparent death and darkness to the glorious light of spring’s spiritual renewal.
As spring’s awakening invites us to leave not only the harsh winter weather, but our own spiritual winters, it also invites us to remember the true hope hidden in our dark seasons. Take a moment this spring and embrace the joy of the resurrection story within the emerging glory of God making all things new.
Image: Constable, J. (1821). The Hay Wain [Oil on canvas]. National Gallery, London.
Donna is a passionate creative, writer, poet, speaker, retired missionary, CASA volunteer, experienced counselor and hospice and palliative care support personnel. Founder of Serenity in Suffering blog, and author of the Serenity in Suffering newsletter on Substack, where she shares articles, resources and counseling designed to help readers grow personally and find spiritual intimacy with Christ; ultimately finding purpose in the trials they face.
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