- Romans 12:2

I believe it is no mistake that the observance of Easter each year comes in union with the spring equinox and season of spring.

If we look to nature we see the promise of the Divine plan for eternal life being played out daily before our very eyes: Each spring we see that which only a few weeks prior appeared to be dead come alive with new force and vitality.

There seems to be an abundance of new life everywhere in nature. It is interesting to note that despite all appearances and conditions created by nature, out of that same nature life comes renewed! To me this speaks of the continuity and unity of all life, irrespective of appearance.

The question has to be: "From whence does this new life come?" Obviously, there is a Divine Intelligence that permeates all of nature, which is eternally renewing and playing upon itself in, through and as the very thing it has created.

The message is obvious: The universe has made no provision for death, only transformation through transition.

The realization of this truth is profound when we begin to understand that by our very nature as spiritual and human beings we play a role in this incredible daily drama. In other words, we don't have to wait until the day we leave our earthly garment of flesh and bone to experience the Infinite plan of renewal and eternal life. It's happening daily.

At the physical level, quantum physics tells us our bodies are being renewed, cell by cell on a daily basis. Our body is a river of intelligence in motion, constantly renewing itself. In other words, change at the physical level is mandatory.

Is it possible that the Divine Intelligence within each of us knows how to renew life at the physical level?

Furthermore, is it possible that what transpires at the physical level is somehow related to what is first being renewed at the emotional, mental and spiritual level? This is not only possible, but it is the truth. In this way we truly are made new each day.

As the master teacher Jesus said, "It is done unto you as you believe." Point in fact, if we continue to hold on to old beliefs, "life renewed" shows up the same old way. Perhaps it's time to take Paul's admonition seriously and "be transformed by the renewing of our minds."

There is only one Life and that is the Life of God. Life's desire is that we are renewed daily and its willingness to do the renewing daily is the Divine infrastructure behind the higher meaning of Easter. It is an amazing reminder that we all can rise above the limitations of our past.

Easter is not just the observation and celebration of a historical event that happened 2,000 years ago to one miraculous man. It's happening daily and it's happening to you right now. Be in awe of it, celebrate it and honor it. Most importantly, be transformed by it.

Dennis Merritt Jones is the spiritual director for OneSpirit Center for Conscious Living in Simi Valley. His website is www.OneSpirit.org.