Easter Is Coming

This was a post I originally wrote five years ago. I've tweaked and added to it, but the message still rings true today...

2020 - After we watched our church's sermon this morning, my 10-year old asked if he could write a note to our pastor. He wanted to thank him for all that he and the church are doing for Holy Week. He said, "I think this is a perfect time for Holy Week because everybody is in a bad spot. I am happy that it's Holy Week because everybody needs it to be Holy Week so they can remember God and know that God will get us through this."

I couldn't agree more...

My heart is broken today. There are so many who are lost right now. There is utter confusion and chaos. There are people who are dying. There are people who are hungry. There are people who have lost their jobs. There are people who are ill. There are those without shelter. There is fear. There is sadness. There is anger. BUT Easter reminds us there there is also love in the midst of fear, there is compassion in the midst of chaos, there is gratitude in the midst of sadness, and there is HOPE in the midst of suffering.

2015 - Easter is a time for celebration. Today, at the beginning of Holy Week, we are reminded of Jesus' suffering with hope. Sitting on this side of Jesus' death and resurrection, we have the knowledge that Easter is coming. No matter what sufferings we face, no matter if all hope seems lost, no matter how hard life gets, Easter is coming. Jesus is risen!

I know that many out there are suffering. Many are brokenhearted, have broken bodies, have broken spirits. Even if we are not currently suffering, we know that hard times are ahead...BUT I am so grateful that we can live with the knowledge that no matter how hard this world is and how tough things get on this side of heaven, there is more to look forward to. There is SO MUCH MORE! "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart, I have overcome the world." - Jesus (John 16:33)

This Palm Sunday, I heard a sermon about having to be emptied out before we can be filled up to be our best selves and to be who God intended for us to be. The Rev. Sarah Howell gave a great visual of a perfect ball of clay. It's smooth and beautiful on the outside, but it is not a very good vessel. It's not until you pinch and pull and hollow out the clay that it becomes something of great use. This sermon was amazing and set the tone for this week of reflection on the cross and on Jesus.

Easter is coming! Jesus is Risen! He is risen indeed!

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials." 1 Peter 1:3-6

2020 - I am having to constantly remind myself of all of these things that I know to be true. They may not feel true right now...I am scared and sad myself... I can go down the rabbit hole at the drop of a hat thinking of those people who are truly broken right now. I have cried many real tears for those people who I know are suffering for those who I don't know. I am praying hard.

Thank you, Jesus, for being our example that beauty and salvation come from suffering. Please help us to keep our eyes on you and know that Easter is coming. Put your arms around us, and hold us tight. Give us faith in your wisdom and hope for the future.
Amen.