“Signs of Easter”
1 John 1:1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.
The Easter story is both ancient and new; it has been forever even before it actually happened (remember how many times Jesus said, “it is for the fulfillment of scripture”?)…and it will be forevermore. Jesus, with us, for us, redeeming even death! But where do you see it with your own eyes…where do you look at it and touch it?
There is so much suffering in our world, and in our own lives that it can be hard to see signs of Easter, signs of the Resurrection. So it is a spiritual practice to open our eyes to signs of life and hope around us and among us. I have been so touched to hear a few of you share with me powerful stories of how you have experienced the power of God’s presence in real ways recently. Seen it with your eyes, felt it in very real ways! This helps me to open my eyes and my heart to where the Resurrection hope is present in my life, in our church, in our world.
I saw Resurrection hope on ourbeach retreat! With 17 women coming together for fellowship and for intentionally coming closer to God, it was very moving to see and hear how God was so close to so many of us, in rest, in comfort, in prayer, in journaling, in nature, in laughter. The idea for this retreat came out of the closing of our UMW unit, something that can feel very discouraging, especially to those of you who have served and given and loved UMW at our church for so many years. But even out of that disappointment, something wonderful came… and more will continue.
Where do you see Easter with your eyes, touch it with your hands?
God is here with us, always working for good and redeeming even death. When you go about your lives, as you learn what’s happening in our world, take a moment to ask Jesus to open your eyes to see him giving hope, even in the midst of darkness. The more we see it, the more we will work for it, and the more we work for it, the more we will see it!
May the hope of Easter be real in your lives today!
Peace,
Pastor Christi
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