Then He spoke to them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. When they are already budding, you see and know for yourselves that summer is now near. So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near.” Luke 21:29-31

Spring comes slowly to southern Appalachia…in a gentle parade of wildflowers and cultivars that blanket our hillsides with watercolors.

As the calendar marches forward, we’re dazzled by each floral “float” in the pageant in our own yard. Crocuses and daffodils are at the head, followed by pale-pink ornamental crabapple, dogwood, and apple blossoms. Right now we’re enjoying a flurry of French-blue Dutch iris, burgundy clematis, lilac rhododendron, hot-pink azaleas, purple-and-white iris, and lipstick-red mandevilla. Soon, they’ll be replaced by English lavender and roses.

But the peonies are my favorite, and they’re just starting to unfold. I love their perfumed aroma! You can always tell which ones are the sweetest because they attract an army of ants. Peonies announce their impending bloom with large round buds ready to explode with color and fragrance. It’s a happy moment to anticipate.

Jesus made a similar reference when He taught in the streets of Jerusalem, during the days between His triumphal entry and His crucifixion. When His listeners heard His prophecy about the temple’s destruction, they immediately questioned Him about when it would happen. He answered with a parable—a simple analogy to watching the life cycle of fig trees and other trees. When leaf buds appear, summer isn’t far behind. 

But the events cited by Jesus as signs of the end times aren’t happy occasions. They’re sobering reminders that the decision to follow Him would be accompanied by trials and tribulations. Wars, commotions, earthquakes, famines, pestilences, fearful sights, great signs, persecution, imprisonment, betrayal, and death—Jesus mentioned all these as costs for seeking the kingdom of God. 

His words warned His people to not let themselves become weighed down with immoral living or the cares of the world but to be watchful. The day of judgment will come unexpectedly, as a snare over the entire earth. To prepare, Jesus admonished His listeners to pray always that they “may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man” (Luke 21:36).

The people sitting at His feet at that moment couldn’t fathom the destruction of the temple, but it did come to pass according to Jesus’ words. God always keeps His promises, even when there’s no likelihood for them to happen.

Friend, we’ve seen more than 2,000 springs since Jesus spoke at the temple during His last week on earth. The beauty of God’s creation continues to bless us during this season year after year. But He has warned us to be ready for the day when spring, summer, fall, and winter will cease to exist…when He comes again to defeat His enemy Satan once and for all…when He establishes His kingdom and calls us to join Him there.

Will you and I be prepared? While we need to rejoice in God’s extraordinary gifts, we should also remember that He offers us the greatest gift of all in the eternal life we’ll get to spend with Him in heaven. God has promised that His dwelling place will be even more beautiful than we can imagine.

Let’s remind ourselves during this glorious changing season that we need to thank Him for His salvation. As we reflect on His promise to take us with Him in the future, let’s remember to rejoice, to praise His name, and to walk with Him in His pathway of obedience.

May we honor Him in all seasons of our lives…and may we rest assured of His faithfulness to bring us into a heaven more wonderful than any spring we’ve ever known.

Lord—Father of Lights, Son of Glory, Holy Spirit of Truth—I lift my eyes with joy as I observe the splendor of Your creation all around me. Thank You for giving me a taste of Your creative power in the renewal of life around me every day. Help me to rejoice in Your love, be prepared for sacrifices in following You, and find Your peace in Your promise of eternal life. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Nancy C. Williams is a Christian wife/mom with a writing career spanning more than 40 years in business and journalism. Williams is the author of the novel To Love a Falcon and the devotional book A Crocus in the Desert: Devotions, Stories, and Prayers for Women Experiencing Infertility. Her blogs are featured on Crossmap.com and AriseDaily. To follow Nancy’s posts and news, go to her home page at NancyCWilliams.com and subscribe at the bottom. 

© Copyright 2026 Nancy C. Williams (text and photography). Unless otherwise noted, Scripture verses are taken from the New King James Version®, Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved. #Jesus #spring #heaven #creation #kingdomofGod #Appalachia #wildflowers