Are you longing for something new? Something more? Or maybe just sunshine and blue skies to spring forth? Are you ready to leap through a new door? I know my heart says yes to all these things.

God knew what He was doing when He created the different seasons. When a new season is close in sight, it opens our eyes to the new. Is He springing up something new in your life?

It may be the kind of new that brings you much joy and hope. Or it may be new that brings some uncertainty. Either way, Jesus is right here, cheering you on to embrace the hope within or to step out and be brave. Even in the life seasons that we endure, He is in control. Light is always within close reach.

Like me, are you ready to welcome in more sunshine and warm air? I’m in hopeful anticipation as my favorite seasons of spring and summer are just around the corner. These are the seasons that represent blooms and more light.

More light. My heart desires more light from the rising sun as winter comes to a close and we welcome spring. Above all, my heart longs for more light of Jesus. I desire to see more light within my own life, to bloom into something more beautiful than my heart can even imagine.

I want to rise above the noise of my thoughts and follow the dreams and desires of my heart.

I long to see others around me blossom and grow as the light of Christ rises within their hearts. I long for more light. And light is here. The light was here even in the dark seasons, even in winter.

When darkness seems to loom from all sides, is it okay to want light? In sorrow, is it okay to choose joy? I say yes, friends. No matter the darkness around us, we have the light within us. We can celebrate the light within us throughout our days, in extraordinary times, and even in the ordinary.

But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall.

Malachi 4:2

There is healing that rises from Jesus, the One within. He knows are cares for every burden. As we honor and worship our Father, His glory springs forth healing and renewed freedom.

God and His glory represented as the sun of righteousness in Malachi 4 is a beautiful picture of the sun that produces physical light and the Son, Jesus, who is our shining light. To see the sunrise and the sun shining beams of sunlight through the clouds brings me great joy. And to think of how God rises with healing stirs hope and joy within my soul.

We can “go out and leap likes calves released from the stall.” Picture a calf who is experiencing many new things for the first time. The calf’s legs are wobbly and awkward, but he leaps into freedom when the gates open. We are just the same. As I move into the new, I admit I feel a bit awkward at times, but when Jesus opens that door, there is newfound freedom to explore.

As we welcome in the new, exciting, or maybe a little bit scary, may we be brave and free, just like a new calf leaping out to the new!