spring at camp allen

"Behold, I am making all things new"

     There is such a stark contrast between winter and spring. As winter steps in, the lower temperatures wrap their cold fingers around trees and bushes, urging them to drop their coats of leaves. The landscape goes to sleep swaddled in blankets of gold and brown grasses. Then suddenly, spring comes. In the blink of an eye nature comes alive. The wildflowers awaken from their year long slumber and the subdued hues of winter are set on fire by the brightest shades of green, blue, pink, purple, orange and yellow. Highways are adorned with dazzling brushstrokes of Indian paint brushes and bluebonnets, trees put their glowing green coats back on and everything outside seems to be buzzing with new life. 


     There is a feeling that accompanies the visual splendor of spring. The vibrant colors, warmer temperatures, gentle breezes and soft pastel sunsets bring both an energy and a peace. An awakened landscape can do wonders for the human soul. Spring arrives each year in the nick of time, breathing out a much needed breath of life. Winter was a wonderland and had its lovely place in time, but spring comes and living things sigh in relief. Energy mounts with each new bud and peace settles with each sunset. 


     Spring at Camp Allen is an absolute gift. The redbuds are abundant and delightful, throwing blush pink blooms against a background of lime green. The Indian paint brushes are speckled around Camp in families and exotic flowers bloom delicately and joyously in the longer days. Our summer camp staff enters the final stages of preparation for the adventure of summer camp as June draws nearer, while our program staff daily welcome new guests who come take advantage of the weather by canoeing, horseback riding, and enjoying the ropes course. 


     Yet spring brings more than just a jubilant landscape, more hours of sunshine, and an influx of guests to Camp. It is also the time of year in which we gather to celebrate the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, the founder of new life. In March each year, nature paints the most beautiful metaphor for what Christ did for all through His sacrifice on the cross. Life looked like an endless winter scene, dreary with cold and no hope of spring’s warm rescue to come bounding around the corner. But when Jesus died for us on the cross, He brought the endless winter into the grave with Him and burst forth with new life three days later. But the annual relief of spring holds no flame to what Jesus promises to those who love Him: an endless wellspring of life. Bluebonnets go back to sleep, redbuds lose their luster, and delicious warm days turn into searing hot temperatures. But new life in Christ never fades away, never loses its impact and never has partiality, for “all who call on the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:13).  


     This Easter, we pray for all to delight in the hope of the Gospel, the dazzling reality that outshines even the most expansive field of Texas bluebonnets. This weekend we remember the sacrifice that guarantees an eternal new life to all who grab hold of it through faith in Jesus Christ. He rose out of the ground like a spring flower, but He never went back into the grave. Victory over death and new life here on earth are the gifts He gives to those who believe. He broke the chains of death and He can make a new thing out of anyone who believes! 


     What a beautiful gift we have in spring. Every new bluebonnet, Indian paintbrush, and buttercup are reminders of what Christ can do in us: save us from the captivity of a sleepy, cold, winter and grow us into an entirely new, blooming, colorful, uniquely and wonderfully made creation!

"Hallelujah to him who makes all things new!"