Not long ago, I received a vision (or a dream) from the Lord. I was in field of flowers, quite like that in The Wizard of Oz. Only these flowers were not poppies, but tulips. A friend shared the same vision with me – she had seen me in a field of tulips. Later, as I was sharing with one of the pastors in the office, I noticed her tulip stationery.

It has taken me awhile to sort out the meaning of all of this. At first, I ignored it like some crazy dream but couldn’t let go of it. Then I knew I had to figure this out – what in the world did tulips have to do with me, or my family or even my church?

Tulip is the common name for any spring flowering plant from the genus tulipa and this comes from the lily family. So I know that tulip represents springtime for us – when we see tulips, we think spring. They originated in the Mediterranean area I heard which would have made them common, even Jesus’s time. Jesus, seeing tulips, would have thought of spring I’m sure.

Tulips are long and broad plants with a cup shaped flower. To me, they reach for the sun and are just waiting to be filled with rain water. In the sun, they seem to grow even taller. Most are one solid bright color. If you see one with a vein of color across the top, it had developed a virus which created the veined effect. At one time in history, the tulip became so popular, especially in Holland, there was, what people called “tulipmania”! Even a small plant went for an exorbitant price!

Why is all of this so important? The Lord shared that a tulip represents two things in life. This was why I had the vision and what I want to share with you.

1. Tulips represent springtime = new birth, new life. We know Spring is a time of new birth. We see dead grass peaking through – each blade greener than the next. buds appear on trees, red, muted browns and pale green at first, and later bursting open as if they could not wait to get out of their shell. Their flowers bring forth pinks, reds, yellows and oranges winter has hidden for so many long months. AND the smell of Spring – fresh, sweet and cool air slowly warming in the sun. The sun melts the winter frost, and just counts the days until it can rule the skies again.

Is there anyone who doesn’t love spring and can’t wait for it to be here? The anticipation in our lives as warmer and sunnier days appear, fills me with excitement and a rush of hope.

When God is ready to do something in our lives, it is like spring – the green grass is peaking through, buds are bursting open, flowers of faith and love start bringing forth color and the smells are overwhelming! The Son Himself starts to warm our cold bodies and melts the winter frost of our lives.

I am believing this spring will soon break forth at our church. We do not know as yet when it is coming and what is to be birthed, but buds are beginning to show. The grass is peaking through just enough to know something is about to happen. Winter still tries to linger, BUT you cannot stop Spring – you cannot stop God from breaking forth!

I know that excitement will spring forth here soon. Little by little we will begin to see God’s hand – we are so ready and looking with anticipation!

2. Perennials – flowers that keep coming up over and over again usually in the Spring. A tulip is a perennial plant. Plant it in the fall and it will come up spring after spring. I look forward to their appearance for they tell me its spring, and are so faithful to appear.

I believe tulips represent the perennials in our lives. You see, God has planted His Word in our hearts. We might not use it today, tomorrow or the next day, but it will always there just when you need it, and the very right verse.

And your testimony – by now we all have many God experiences to share. Someone out there needs to hear them – Stories of healing, comfort and joy. Both the Word of God and our testimonies are perennials in our lives. They are there to use just when you need to share!

Lately, the Lord showed me tulips as an acronym for what he is doing.

T – Training and discipling His people, and training us to train others.

U – Unify – God is working everywhere to unify His church. Wherever there is Revival, there is a spirit of unity.

L – Love – without it, God is not with us. He is teaching each one of us to love and love more!

I – Importance – God is #1 – we need to make Him number one and not just talk about Him. Others need to see He is the most important one in our lives. In turn, they will understand and begin to make him #1

P- Prayer – Not just prayer, but more prayer. God is teaching us the importance of communicating with Him. Here, He gives us our orders, our daily bread and encouragement. He wants us to know how very important prayer is for us and for the body of Christ!

S – Speak it out! He wants us to share and tell others! This springtime is for everyone and we need to let them in on the good news. The Glory of God has come and Jesus is the way, the truth and the life.

Take a tulip and look at it – see it bring Spring into your life. See it come up year after year. See God use these tulips for our good – to bring new life, new hope and vision and your perennials. Allow God to use them to defeat the enemy and call in the victory God already has for us!