As I Prepare for Easter

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March 30, 2013

As I Prepare for Easter

This week I have been on Spring break from school. Due to my husband’s job, we stayed in country which was a perfect fit for me and the kids. It also gave me time to regroup since we are nearing the end of the third quarter. Spring break started with me feeling angry, disillusioned, and weary. Sleep, time with God, crocheting and time with friends were much needed. As the week went on, I found myself slowly laying things at the feet of the cross- my unmet expectations, my insecurities, my wanting to control situations, and my weariness. I told God my heart was not ready for Easter. Then I was reminded that whether or not we are ready for God, He is always ready for us. Our only requirement is that we come as we are-what a scary thought but also a healing one. This week as I have come to God, I have been reminded of these things.

1. My focus was in the wrong place.

“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated on the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above not on earthly things.” Col 3:1,2 NIV

My focus was on my students and their behavior and my inability to control them which made me start Spring break feeling like a failure. I forgot that my identity is in Christ and to look to Him for guidance. My students might have behaved better but my attitude should have been better.

2. I am too much like the Israelites who wanted their own way and then whined and complained when they didn’t get it. In I Cor 10 (MSG) it says “The same thing could happen to us. We must be on our guard so that we never get caught up in wanting our own way as they did.” “We don’t reduce Christ to what we are: he raises us to what he is.”

3. The resurrection is the key. It brings hope and defines who we are as Christ followers. Here is what Paul says in I Cor 15 (MSG).

“If you became believers because you trusted the proclamation that Jesus is alive, risen from the dead, how can you let people say that there is no such thing as a resurrection? If there’s no resurrection, there’s no living Christ. And face it-if there’s no resurrection for Christ, everything we’ve told you is smoke and mirrors, and everything you’ve staked your life on is smoke and mirrors….

If all we get out of Christ is a little inspiration for a few short years, we’re a pretty sorry lot. But the truth is that Christ has been raised up…

Paul goes on to remind us that it is because of the resurrection that he keeps risking his life to do what he does. It is why I am here in this place.

Dear God, May you be our focus during this season and throughout the year. May we look to you and not to ourselves. May we trust in your goodness and the truth of your resurrection. May we live our lives in light of what you have done for us with thankful hearts and obedient hands and feet. In Jesus precious name, Amen