Category: easter, light after darkness, hope after despair, love overcomes, Christian.

Easter- personal resurrection!

Newness of life!

Easter is such a deeply significant time of year. It is a time of mystery, and brings a message of love, forgiveness and hope- things we so desperately need in the world today.

One of the things that challenges me continually, is how to best understand the connection between the historical event 2,000 years ago, and the Christian faith today? I guess that there are lots of different ways of doing this, and I want to share my experience this year.

I knew that Lent would be tough this year. The 40 days remembering Jesus in the desert, a time of temptation and questioning, is a searching time. This year I had personal and professional challenges all intertwined, and I prayed for God to guide me and give me strength.  It was a rollercoaster period of dealing with upset, change and grief.

God saw me in  the midst of it all, and the verse that kept coming back to me was was Matthew 12:20 ‘ a bruised reed he will not break, and a smouldering wick he will not snuff out.’.

Sometimes we can feel a bit bashed and bruised by life, a bit fragile. Jesus understands, because in the time before his death on the cross, he was isolated, misunderstood, betrayed and bruised in body, mind and spirit.

The thing that kept me going in Lent, was the coming of Easter Sunday, the day of resurrection. For after the devastation and darkness of Good Friday, came the day of resurrection, a testimony of the power of God to bring Jesus back to life, and that the door to eternity was now open to all who place their trust in Him.

For me, this is not a theoretical idea, that is remote but comforting, but a living reality. After the turmoil of Lent, our Risen Lord comes to us individually, and calls us by name, and gives us the strength and inspiration to go on, with a new joy and peace. He brings us our own personal resurrection! So wonderful and so much needed. As we trust our Saviour, so we see He is doing a new thing in our lives.

If you have been finding life tough recently, and you have struggled, look to Jesus. He is forgiving and merciful, and wants to lift us out of the darkness, onto the Rock, and to give us a new song to sing- a song of hope and joy. May we let go of all that burdens us, and be open to learn the words of this new song of praise and to dance to this new beat!

Gracious God, at times we can feel numb, overwhelmed by sadness and difficulty, feeling bruised and battered by life. Risen Saviour, we thankyou that You understand, for You have walked the path of rejection and pain, and yet on the cross, You spoke a message of forgiveness  and love. In your beautiful and mighty Resurrection, we find hope, so we can experience our own personal resurrection. May we find beauty for our ashes, joy instead of mourning, praise instead of heaviness. Holy spirit, heal our soul bruises, and rekindle that spark of life within us, so we can burn brightly for you once more, experiencing the joy of personal resurrection, Amen

Easter- the long awaited coming of dawn

Stunning beauty of a new day!

After one of the longest Lents, Easter has finally come. After the darkness and struggle and horror, we are reminded of the beautiful light of dawn that breaks through the darkness. How we need that light…

I think of Mary Magdalene in the garden, recognising Jesus through her tears, and realising, with joy, that he is Risen. I think of the two people on the road to Emmaus, thinking if only things had been different, and then eventually recognising the true identity of their companion on the road.

Sometimes our lives are strewn with ‘ if onlys’. If only that person had responded differently, if only that had worked out otherwise, if only I had realised………. There are so many broken dreams and hopes..

Yet somehow, we believe that even in the midst of hurt and brokenness, Jesus is with his people, with a desire to forgive, to heal and to redeem. For the one willing to suffer mocking, beating, a crown of thorns, and the nails of the cross, the perfect sacrifice to bring forgiveness for all who ask, he understands the injustices and pain of life. And that is not the end, for on the third day he rose again. God revealed his power, the gift of eternal life, and that there is always the possibility of new beginnings.

I don’t know where you are in your life, if things are going smoothly, or if these are painful days. What I hope for all people is that the Easter message reminds us that we are loved, that we are of value, for Jesus died for each one of us to bring that message of forgiveness and grace. And then on Easter morning, we have the message of the angels – do not fear. The Risen Lord goes into the upper room, and says ‘ peace be with you.’ Whatever we are going through, may we receive the forgiveness, peace and hope of God.

Risen Christ, you come to your tearful and despairing people, you call us by name, lift us up and give us new life. We are so grateful for your patience with us, for we are so obstinate and self centred. Forgive us. After the deep darkness of night, thankyou that the sky brightens, and the sun still rises, and that a new day dawns. May your Word bring healing from fear confusion and grief, and remind us of the joy of living in your love. Holy spirit, You have shaped our lives through challenge and heartache, but the butterfly is emerging from the cocoon. May we be attentive to your call, and the fashioning of our souls in your image. Thankyou Lord, Amen.