Celebrate Your Soteria

I have had a hard time growing grass in my front yard. For many years, we had an oak tree right in the middle of it, and I tried so many things to get grass to grow under it to no avail.
 
Finally, we cut the tree down. I killed all of the weeds, turned the soil over, added topsoil, and planted grass seed.

After a week, I could spot a few of the slightest green blades among the abundance of dirt. I was happy! My yard was on its way! Life was happening!
 
Every day, I would carefully examine the dirt for more signs of life. I would discover a few more tiny blades. I celebrated in my heart!
 
As of this writing, I can easily see many patches of young green blades reaching one or two inches above the soil. It looks beautiful to me, though I still have a lot of bare dirt showing, and my yard still looks sparse compared to the lawns around me. But life is happening! Growth is happening! It’s better than it was, with the possibility of the beautiful, lush, healthy lawn that I want.
 
I said all of that to say this: I hope we are all celebrating our growth, even if it looks incomplete. Our salvation (soteria in Greek) is the healing of our soul. It is a progressive unveiling of the truth. We have Life within us, and it’s doing something.
 
My lawn is no longer barren, because life is growing in it. My yard does not look as full as my neighbor’s, but at least it’s not like it was. Life is happening. I’m sure some of my neighbors appreciate their lawns very much, but I’ll bet that they don’t go outside with the same excitement I do. The first thing I want to do in the morning is to go look at the amazing baby miracles in front of my house.
 
Today, let’s all celebrate that we are not where we were at one time. Let’s remember the miracles that have made our life better. And let’s rejoice in the hope and the possibilities that are real because of Christ in us, our hope of glory.

We hope you have a great day, and that you find something to celebrate.