On Sunday, we saw our first robin of the year. Fitting, since Sunday was March 20, the “official” first day of Spring. The cool temps and snow covering our backyard make it seem like winter is still here. But the robin is a sure indicator that spring has begun. That black and orange bird in the snow gives us certain assurance that brighter days are coming.
And I couldn’t help but think that the Holy Spirit is like this in our lives. Jesus ascended into heaven after His resurrection (Acts 1:9), but the Holy Spirit has come to live in every Christian’s heart (John 14:16-17; Romans 8:9-11). When we trust in Christ, the Holy Spirit washes away our sin (Titus 3:5), gives us a new birth (John 3:3-6; Titus 3:5), leads us to obey God in our daily lives (Romans 8:14), and helps us pray (Romans 8:26). He also seals and secures us as God’s own children (Ephesians 1:13).
Now, the Holy Spirit has another crucial role in your Christian life. He is the guarantee, or some would say, “down payment” of our heavenly inheritance. The Bible tells us, God “put His Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come” (2 Corinthians 1:22). Eternal life in God’s kingdom is promised to us, and the Holy Spirit is God’s first installment of such heavenly blessings.
Like the robin in the snow reminds us spring is about to break through this winter, so the Holy Spirit in our hearts assures us that God’s kingdom is breaking through into this world. For now, we have the Holy Spirit pouring out God’s love in our hearts (Romans 5:5), whispering to us, you are God’s child (Romans 8:14), and providing living proof that there are brighter days ahead.
