It's been a few days since Easter. My family and I were fortunate enough to be here with our family for the most important holiday in our lives. As a kids, I can remember many things about Easter, but one of the biggest was a conversation I had with my Dad who was trying to convince me that Easter was the most important holiday for people who love Jesus. I was trying to disagree with him. After all, Jesus was born on Christmas, right Dad? Thankfully, I had a family environment where we challenged each other's biases and presumptions often. You wouldn't last long at the dinner table if you didn't have quick logic. Well, Dad quickly set me straight and said no one would care about Jesus' birth if it hadn't been for what he did Easter morning. Not giving up, I decided that Good Friday (the day of Jesus' death) would be the bigger day since that was the day he said, "it is finished," and paid for our sins. Again, Dad corrected me. What difference would it make if He hadn't conquered it all. I'm sure it took a much longer debate than that and I probably didn't concede a victory out loud, but that truth has stayed with me and I'm teaching it to my kids.
For our family, Easter is the biggest deal there is. Jesus not only took our punishment, but blasted it out of the water when He became victorious over sin and death in His resurrection. Last Easter, we were just moving to the mountains and just getting to know our new friends there. We were feeling pretty overwhelmed as we didn't have a home of our own yet and had no idea of what we were getting into. This Easter, I was surrounded by many familiar things, traditions, and people. I pray that soon our new home will feel like home, but for now, home is still with my Mama.
Besides all this, it's a totally different feeling to be able to worship with a large group of people in a culture that is comfortable. There was still the trying to teach my kids about the beauty of the empty tomb around multitudinous candy and the Easter Bunny, but they seemed to be getting it. As we were preparing to sing in the choir for sunrise worship, my Mom prayed about the surprise the women had at the empty tomb. That was not what they were planning on. I've let that thought marinate for a few days and felt that I had to acknowledge it.
I sure have had my fair share of squashed expectations in life. I have some great ideas on what should happen. Even on what I should be doing for God. The women had plans to love Jesus by preparing his body for burial. They had all the spices they needed. They had made their preparations. They were doing what they knew to do. But Jesus didn't cooperate. He blew up their plans. At first, they were scared. They were confused. Some didn't want to tell anyone there had been a change of plans. They couldn't believe it themselves. But eventually, they got on board with what God had in store -- something much bigger than anyone was thinking about. Those confused and scared women and disciples had their lives turned upside down when the power of Jesus took over.
Let me stop waxing poetic and just ask you all what I've been asking myself and, frankly, don't have an answer for yet . . . Are you ready for Jesus to shatter your expectations?
See you soon, India.
For our family, Easter is the biggest deal there is. Jesus not only took our punishment, but blasted it out of the water when He became victorious over sin and death in His resurrection. Last Easter, we were just moving to the mountains and just getting to know our new friends there. We were feeling pretty overwhelmed as we didn't have a home of our own yet and had no idea of what we were getting into. This Easter, I was surrounded by many familiar things, traditions, and people. I pray that soon our new home will feel like home, but for now, home is still with my Mama.
Besides all this, it's a totally different feeling to be able to worship with a large group of people in a culture that is comfortable. There was still the trying to teach my kids about the beauty of the empty tomb around multitudinous candy and the Easter Bunny, but they seemed to be getting it. As we were preparing to sing in the choir for sunrise worship, my Mom prayed about the surprise the women had at the empty tomb. That was not what they were planning on. I've let that thought marinate for a few days and felt that I had to acknowledge it.
I sure have had my fair share of squashed expectations in life. I have some great ideas on what should happen. Even on what I should be doing for God. The women had plans to love Jesus by preparing his body for burial. They had all the spices they needed. They had made their preparations. They were doing what they knew to do. But Jesus didn't cooperate. He blew up their plans. At first, they were scared. They were confused. Some didn't want to tell anyone there had been a change of plans. They couldn't believe it themselves. But eventually, they got on board with what God had in store -- something much bigger than anyone was thinking about. Those confused and scared women and disciples had their lives turned upside down when the power of Jesus took over.
Let me stop waxing poetic and just ask you all what I've been asking myself and, frankly, don't have an answer for yet . . . Are you ready for Jesus to shatter your expectations?
See you soon, India.
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