The Resurrection: Ultimate Life Giving Experience

This isn't a new piece; I wrote and posted it at Easter-time in 2010. But the truths herein haven't change.  Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever so, please enjoy...

As I began to write this morning, the day the Christian world celebrates Good Friday, I was drawn to some precious memories, specifically that old song we sang in the choir when I was a little girl; Were You There? I remember even before I knew “who or what” Jesus was, those words had a powerful impact on me. There was motion within my soul that only God could soothe. The song still blesses me. Were YOU there when they crucified MY Lord (author’s emphasis)?

As the Easter weekend progresses, I give pause to what this means to me. I see Resurrection Day as The Ultimate Life Giving experience. My pastor referred to that day we historically celebrate as Resurrection Day as the Ultimate Recovery because death was defeated.

I don’t have a problem with Easter eggs, Easter bunny, and baby chick-sort of celebrations, either. These all represent Life and all point the way toward Life and the One who gave it.

During the period of the first day of Spring to Easter, I wear a pair of green Easter Bunny earrings that belonged to my late mother-in-law. That woman did “love her some holidays”. In her healthier days, she dressed herself, her poodle, her house and her front yard in keeping with the holiday of record. She and her son had an on-going battle regarding Easter bunnies and lambs during the Easter season. You see, he is a Christian and she was a Buddhist. She gleefully razzed him with bunnies and he returned the favor with lambs.

I’ve come to the conclusion that I can wear the green bunnies with a clear conscience as a Christian and can remember better times with her while doing so. If my life and actions don’t proclaim my Christian beliefs then the jewelry I wear won’t make any difference. Green is my favorite color, along with raspberry pink, and spring just works for me. Easter is such a wonderful occasion and so much more than a holiday. Whether you’re a believer or not, this event we call Easter seems to give license to all kinds of life-loving activities including church-going, gardening, putting away the old and cold of winter, sprouts of life, baby chicks, even Peeps TM, water-intense shenanigans and wistful wanderings through garden centers. Life is in the air. Easter is the exclamation mark that issues forth the orders, “Skedaddle, Old Winter”!

Life is what Christ came to do … He told us that He came to give us life; life more abundantly (John 10:10b). He told us, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No man comes to the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6) The book of John, in particular, is full of God’s love for you and me.

My question for you is this: What if there really is a heaven and a hell? What if Jesus really is the ONLY way to heaven?

If you have asked Him to be the Lord of your life, you’re heaven bound. If Jesus is the real thing and you don’t choose Him as your Lord, you’ll spend eternity in the fiery pit of hell. If it’s all a big hoax, you’ve lost nothing! What have you got to lose? NOTHING! Call it fire insurance, if you will. The premiums are paid in full.

I won’t belabor the ugliness and hatred that has recently made the headlines all in the name of Him. This has been going on for centuries and the devil is still the same liar and isn’t worthy of any space.

Jesus is all about Love, and before He left, he issued The Great Commission (John 16:15-16) .. go spread the good news. The good news, or Gospel, tells us God loves us. In fact, He loves us so much that He sent His son to die for us (John 3:16). He created us and wants fellowship with us. We’re His kids.

We, as parents, desire to spend time with our kids, don’t we? God is The Ultimate Father and head of the family, and He beckons us to come and spend time with Him.  

Come ... linger ... sit on the front porch and talk with Him. Wander out in the forest and take in His splendor. Step out in the moonlight along the beach and just listen for Him.

I pray that you will realize the full impact of this beautiful season of new life. Watch as it unfolds and drink in its splendor. May you all experience a Happy Easter. Enjoy the kids and their sweet frolics; be sure to save a chocolate bunny for me! Country Easter Blessings to you all.

© 2010 Cat Brennan