journey onWord with us

It was a big day! Church was full, and great emphasis was placed on the resurrection of Jesus from the tomb. When the congregation sang the words, “He’s Alive, He’s Alive” the truth of the resurrection filled the air. For at least one day each year, the eyes of the world turn toward the empty tomb. To all Christ followers, ramifications of Resurrection Sunday are anything but a one-day event. It gave us our birthright.  However as we head back to work and the normal routines of life, it is certainly easy to minimize the significance of what our Risen Lord means to us. In the desire to be appropriate and not offensive, we often shy away from our most important relationship: with Christ!

It must have been life changing as the disciples met with Christ after His resurrection. He showed care for “doubting Thomas” and restored Peter. He also commissioned the disciples to go and make disciples. Their lives were not to be about self, but about others. Centuries later, we can all be grateful for how they responded. We have no less obligation to be conduits of His love and grace in our 21^st century, fast-paced, technologically driven world. The hope of the resurrection still matters! Wherever this post finds you today, look around and view your opportunity to care for others….all because He Lives in you.

In my reading this week, I re-read a quote by someone named Soren Kierkegaard. His words resonate with me as I think of living out the hope of the resurrection. It says: “Now, by God’s help, I shall become myself.”  Don’t you and I both want to be the “me” that God designed us to be? Living out His design will always involve others, just as it did for the disciples. In thinking of this quote, I can’t help but think of Peter. Dramatic failure must have haunted him as Christ hung on the cross. But the resurrected Lord restored him, and sent him out to serve. Eventually, he died having been used of God mightily. Undoubtedly he still made blunders and failed the Lord at times. But in view of Scripture, it seems that Peter grew into the “me” that God designed for Him to be.

Because of the resurrection, you and I can also be effective in showing others hope, peace and joy. One day a year the world turns to the empty tomb, but daily we can live out it’s implications. Certainly we need to be appropriate, but never silent about our most important relationship … with Christ! Being the “me” that God has designed us to be won’t look just like Peter, but it will reflect the attributes of Christ. Those around will be blessed if we determine to maximize the Risen Lord by fulfilling His design for us.

Next year, churches will again gather around the world and celebrate the empty tomb. From now until then, you and I have the privilege of living out the reality that He’s Alive. Be appropriate, but never shy about your greatest relationship . . . with Christ! There will be those on your journey before next Resurrection Sunday that need hope and peace. You have what they need;  be who God designed you to be by sharing it.