Springing into Action
May brings two things to my mind: the spectacular RHS Chelsea Flower Show and important dates in the Christian calendar. Both involve timing, growth, and transformation.
Gardening Wisdom
Every year I’m amazed by the elaborate gardens at Chelsea that appear to spring up overnight. Of course, the reality involves months of careful planning, preparation, and precise timing. Nothing is actually instantaneous.
In my own garden, I face the eternal dilemma: when to plant? My father-in-law confidently plants in early spring, while I nervously watch weather forecasts, worried about May frosts. Despite evidence supporting his earlier planting success, I remain cautious—perhaps overly so.
But there’s a deeper question here: what gives us the confidence to act, even when conditions aren’t perfect?
From Fear to Faith
May’s Christian calendar includes two pivotal moments: Ascension Day (May 9) and Pentecost (May 19). Between Easter and Pentecost, Jesus’s followers undergo a remarkable transformation.
After Easter, they’re fearful and despairing, hiding behind locked doors. By Pentecost, they’re confident and inspired, ready to face the world with their message.
What changed? Jesus’s followers spring into action, inspired by Jesus’s example and empowered by the Holy Spirit.
The Confidence to Keep Going
We all face setbacks. Gardens fail despite our best efforts. Projects don’t work out as planned. Relationships struggle. Our best intentions sometimes produce disappointing results.
But the assurance of God helping us gives us the confidence to keep going despite failures. We can embrace generosity and compassion as responses to divine grace, knowing that our efforts matter even when results are imperfect.
An Invitation to Act
Is it time to spring into action? To be inspired by the created world that surrounds us—the gardens coming to life, the longer days, the energy of the season?
Whether you’re planting gardens, starting new projects, or simply trying to live more faithfully, May invites us to move from hesitation to action, from caution to confidence.
What bold step might you take this month, trusting that you’re supported in the effort, regardless of the outcome?