by Rob Andreas

As I sit here at my laptop, I peer outside and see the fresh snow on a cool, windy day.

I step outside and immediately I am struck by the chill in the air. But my heart is turned, and my eyes catch the glimpse of a robin swinging on the electric line. I am reminded that this is the first day of spring.

In my small village in western New York, spring brings anticipation and the hope of newness of life.

We see in spring the awakening of life all around us. Birds are singing with their unique sounds, trees will soon bloom, and crocuses push their way up through the previously frozen ground. Eventually, warmth will be felt from the sun, and everything seems to come to life.

In this changing cycle of seasons, how can we deny that there is a creator and sustainer of all this new life? God has revealed himself, in part, through his glorious creation. The Bible states in Romans 1:20: “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.”

Every human is without excuse to know there is a living God. He is known in part by what we see, but we must have faith to truly believe in him. Hebrews 11:6 states: “But without faith, it is impossible to please him. For he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”

As a local church pastor, I must tell of this creator who came to make himself known and to redeem this broken world from sin. John’s gospel Chapter 1, Verses 1-5 state: “In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.”

Jesus, the creator and sustainer, is the savior of the world. He came to save your soul from sin. Do you know him? Is he your savior? You can trust him!

Andreas is pastor of Portageville Community Baptist Church in Portageville, N.Y., and past member of the Fellowship of Christian Farmers International board of directors.