Easter is here and just in time! No matter what our religious perspective, everyone needs a new beginning. I need Easter. Most people need to be reminded from time to time that they are loved, valued, and forgiven. Maybe you have been chasing hope and are eager to begin again with your life. Maybe you need Easter as much as I do. Easter gives me hope! The Easter event reminds me that I am not alone and that my Creator believes in me and blesses my humanness and very personhood. Knowing that I am loved provides me with the foundation for joy and strength! But, I often need to be reminded.
About 2000 years ago the Apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the Romans, “Nothing can separate us from the love of God (Romans 8).” If we believe that is true then you and I should live our lives with a little more courage and joy. Of course, as humans we sometimes lose ourselves chasing after all kinds of illusions this world offers. It is so easy to be fooled. We pursue things that are so fleeting and false. And, we are often tempted to create for ourselves a pedestal so that we can feel extra special, or be noticed by others. But, sooner or later, we discover that our needs go deep, that what we have is not enough. We still feel empty. We seem to be on a constant quest for more and more. Eventually, our lives become so frustrating that we find ourselves in a similar situation as the two young brothers in Jesus parable of the Prodical Son (Luke 15).
In some ways my life seems simpler now. Yes, I like to be affirmed from time to time. But, I don’t have a need to be president of anything, elected to any political office, or to become rich and famous. I have known a few people who have enjoyed that kind of success. And, I have known others who could have used a little bit of ego transformation. What I most desire is to live life fully alive. My biggest challenge is to discover the strength within myself (with the help of God) to become a more loving and grace-giving person.
If you are feeling flat or disillusioned this Easter, I invite you to remember that the One who knows you the best, loves you the most. This Easter is the perfect time to begin living with a transformed heart and a new vision. There is something very freeing about knowing that we are loved by our Creator just as we are— whether we ever change or not. That really is good news!
In the Christian Scriptures there is a beautiful symbol called ‘baptism’. It is for followers of Christ who have decided that they want to love the people Jesus loves—which is everyone. It is the practice of being lowered under water (death to old ways of seeing and doing) and being raised up out of the water (a new way of seeing and doing) into a new life. Because of Jesus’ resurrection from death, baptism is a celebration for Christ-followers that signifies new life—the resurrected life.
Today marks a new beginning.
May His grace become an event for you, too!
Practice Resurrection!
Ralph
Her’s my affirmation, Brother! I love your blog and your thoughtful insights. Bless you thanks too!
By: Jeannie on April 25, 2011
at 6:12 am