“HAPPY EASTER!” many will say.
Let’s be clear, tomorrow is a really important day to me and
many other believers around our precious planet. Tomorrow will also be a day
where Facebook and other social media explode in a frenzy of good wishes.
But often, I don’t quite know what these well-wishers mean?
Especially those who dispel the Christian faith?
What do you really mean when
YOU say, “HAPPY EASTER!”?
Please don’t get me wrong: I REALLY desire to wish you a
truly ‘HAPPY EASTER!’! But I don’t want
my own wish to be lost in this huge cloud of imminent social hysteria. So I
feel compelled this morning to explain to you, my precious friends, exactly what I mean when I say,
"HAPPY EASTER!"
I’m not wishing you tons of Easter eggs (although this is
indeed tempting);
or the madness of wishing others a ‘Happy Easter’; or the thoughtless frenzy of
gluttony....
Instead, I am wishing you a quiet contemplation of the real meaning
of EASTER and RESURRECTION SUNDAY. This could be life-changing...
I wish you the joy of the gift of Jesus Christ. May you
understand His immense sacrifice (available to us all) – the forgiveness of
everything we’ve ever done wrong (and will continue to do wrong). I pray that
you may experience His incredible, infinite love. May you understand that He truly LIVES! Yes,
HE LIVES and he really, really LOVES you!
He is indeed present in our world. He
comes to us in the form of His Holy Spirit which he gives to believers as a
gift. It is to help us along our embattled paths. You just have to look to the
heavens on clear night to get a glimpse of His incredible creativity. He is
available to all of us who believe in Him. You are not alone!
Like you, I have searched for meaning my whole life. I have
found peace and certainty in my faith in Jesus Christ (the Son of God). My belief takes expression in the way I seek
to live. I seek to follow in His footsteps. I seek to let His light shine in
the things He asks me to do (one of them being this text, for example). Most often I fall sorely short. He then
challenges me again to come to Him and talk – like a Daddy lovingly guiding His
child. We are not alone!
This thing called life is a constant learning process for us
all. In my case, it’s my willingness to surrender to the will of my ‘Counselor’;
the Holy Spirit. I am His child and,
hopefully, my life will bare witness to His grace and Majesty.
“Resurrection Sunday” is one of the most important
celebratory dates in the Christian calendar. It is something I actively
participate in and try honour. It has very specific Biblical meaning - the true meaning
of “HAPPY EASTER!” It is what I seek for
everybody.
So here is my "HAPPY EASTER!" wish for you, my dear friend…
·
I wish you to be filled with His love,
forgiveness and a brand new life, in Him. A clean slate!
·
I wish you assurance of your importance to His
Kingdom and your welcoming into the family of God. You are important to Him – he
made you! (Ps 139)
·
I wish you to feel utter joy as you, by the
grace of God, receive His gift of forgiveness and everlasting life.
·
I pray that you will somehow believe in the
miracle of Jesus Christ’s resurrection (which, yes, is beyond earthly
understanding!). This belief is a gift given only by the grace of God to those
whom He calls. Yes, He calls YOU!
·
I pray that you will come to understand that, no
matter what, ‘God has got it!’; that the battle of this life has already been
won; that He genuinely understands your circumstances; that you are allowed to
call yourself a child of God when you believe in Him.
·
I pray that you will immerse yourself in the
hope that is ‘Jesus Christ’ and also the community of God’s people. That you
will be able to celebrate the true meaning of EASTER!
In summary, Jesus Christ was a historically real person. He
lived in this world about 2000 years ago. His life, death and resurrection have
been documented in many, many books. So too has His grace of forgiveness and
New life in the believers who follow him. Seek Him! You surely will find Him!
“HAPPY EASTER
dear friend!” May you be blessed out of your socks!”
