Become "Easter People” All Year Long!
Well, another celebration of the Easter Holiday was here and gone by, and many of us have rejoiced in the "Good News ", of the stone being rolled away and the tomb found empty! We have imagined the miracle of our Lord and Savior overcoming death, and the greatest result of all, the ‘Risen Christ”, walking again among His followers and charging them with the mighty task that has come to be known as ‘The Great Commission ‘. Easter Sunday, of all days, has changed the lives of every Believer on the planet, forever and always! The Day, for all those people who heard Jesus then and all Believers since, have been commanded to "Go and Make Disciples "! What a wonderful day of remembrance and celebration of our Faith!
But wait a minute, maybe we are being way too self- focused? There are other things we think of too, aren’t there? Give it a minute of thought and really search your mind. Besides a gathering or reunion of family, eating great food and celebration, Easter egg hunts for the kids, aren’t there some lingering questions in the back of your mind left unanswered?
Why is it that many churches are filled to capacity, are more crowded during Easter than any other time of the year, except following a national or local disaster? How many of these extra people are just there because of tradition, spouse or family urging, expectation of others in some way, for their children’s sake or because it is expected?
How many people dust off the old Navy suit and put on a tie! How many of us have been once a year people at some point in our lives as well or maybe still are today? What can we do to become "Easter People” all year long and reach out each day of the year to do as Christ commanded, to "Go and make disciples”?
At the very ‘heart of service’ is a gift we gave others. When we serve, we embody compassion, humility, and love. True service to others is not about recognition, it’s about making a difference, no matter how big or small. The ‘call to serve’ is a higher calling and reflects our humanity, grace, and passion to help others! We have the opportunity to make something happen beyond our own needs to make others feel valued whether we just assist or just listen!
The major truth is, that a very high percentage of these Easter Holiday people have had, a great deal of questions on their minds about their faith values and directions no matter what they say. We haven’t tried to form productive relationships with them. Many of these men, women and children are reluctant to come forward and admit how they feel or discuss questions about faith and values in their personal lives for many reasons. They may have carried these feelings with them for years. The lack of ‘leap of faith’ may be a byproduct of their childhood, family or married values. Others may also feel that their lives are going along ‘just fine for now’ and believe only in the pleasures and rewards that their earthly life provides.
If you or someone you know is struggling with questions and answers about Faith, ‘YOU’, as a Believer in Jesus Christ can make a difference in their lives! We all remember the day we were saved, but perhaps we didn’t realize it then, how the Holy Spirit led us down that aisle in church or at that gathering or at that revival, to commit ourselves to Him? After we received God’s non-returnable gifts of salvation and eternal life, did we lose our way and need to correct our course as we travel down that road?
Easter is not only a time of celebration, but of rededication as well! All of us come to a fork in the road of our continuous journey of spiritual learning, one of the paths is worn and wide from so many people choosing it and making the easy choice ….and the other path, narrow and much less traveled! Now is the time to dedicate or rededicate yourself to a have a heart of service for so many!
May everyone be brought to a renewed hope and Faith in Him, this Easter and every day, all year long!
It is by His Grace we are saved…By His Word we live…and By His Will…we serve others…!
