Or am I? Because resurrection means new life, it means things don't aways appear as I expect, and my old and comfortable ways may not be the way to new life. Resurrection means that I stop returning to the tomb where my guilt was laid to rest, once and for all by Jesus Christ.
This week has been a tough week. As those of you who know me, it isn't because it was Holy Week and as a pastor one of my "busiest." You see, I have known for a long time about this week coming, so it has been in the making for quite some time. Worship planning has been done for weeks, and all I needed to do was listen to the Holy Spirit as they revealed to me what to proclaim.
This is a tough week because so much has been out of my control. Doctors appointments are leading to more doctor appointments, messing with plans I had already made, and leading me into some of those unknowns that we all fear. Because of who I am and my need to plan, I immediately got coverage for when I know I will need to be off. Things I had hoped to do and people I had planned to visit didn't happen, and I have guilt about all that. I leave for vacation in a week, and there is so much that needs to be done before I go.
I worshiped Thursday night with joy as we celebrated the love that Jesus has for us, in the breaking of bread and the washing of feet. I worshiped Friday recalling how Jesus suffered, died and was buried; offering himself in love for us.
And I prepared today for the sermon tomorrow, when we will shout Alleluia, Christ is Risen. I am ready to sing the Easter songs, because it is the resurrection of Christ where we find the hope and strength to deal with whatever comes our way. Here is an excerpt from the sermon for tomorrow:
This is not an assurance that nothing can go wrong, because
things will go wrong. It isn’t assured
that everything will turn out for the best, because if we were honest, we know
that isn’t true. It is assurance that
whatever happens to us, whatever our day may hold, God has the power to
strengthen us and uphold us, that whatever we must face, we do not face it
alone. Nothing, absolutely nothing we
encounter is stronger than God’s love, and ultimately God has the final
word. The final word over sin, and the
final word over death. Christ is alive,
death could not hold him.
As I go to bed, I will rest in the assurance of God's love and grace made known to us in the resurrection of Jesus.
May we all sleep this Easter Eve in the promise of our Lord Jesus Christ, encountering Jesus along our journey.
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