Easter

John 20: 1 - 9

...he saw and believed.....

Today, I did not get up in time for the Sunrise Service at church. We were just too tired and decided to go for the next service at 8. 30 am. We were as blessed, even though we missed the wonder of the early morning "while it was still dark" atmosphere. The pastor spoke of three doors we are invited to enter: the door of forgiveness, the door of restoration and the door of hope.

These doors seem to aptly sum up what it means to live in light of the resurrection. At the same time they ground us in the reality of life in the 'here and now'.

Our lives in this world are such that we are not only forgiven once when we come to Christ but in need of constant forgiveness - from God and one another. There is no way we can avoid this - no spiritually perfect state. But living in this in between time, our hearts are constantly being broken and healed as we humble ourselves before God and others. We are always in need of 'restoration' as well - the tarnished human nature is never once and for all perfectly restored - it is in our day to day choices, that we live in ways that reflect the glory of God. The door of hope helps us read meanings about life that were not visible before: beyond the physical , we perceive the spiritual, beyond the temporal , we glimpse the eternal. And hope, that is not mere cheerful optimism, fires our desire for God.

We wish one another "Blessed Easter". But, what do we really mean? What do we wish for others? I would like to wish each fellow believer - the courage to open the doors of forgiveness, restoration and hope - every moment of their lives. In this, we embrace the power of the resurrection.

Come Lord Jesus!!