Every one of us runs out of optimism and hope once in awhile.
Or is it just me?
I remember one day of despair as vividly as yesterday. Warm sun coaxed forth spring blossoms and leaves on all sides and life was good, yet that day I couldn't see it or feel it--and I couldn't have told you why.
I drove home along a beautiful tree-lined boulevard, glad no one could hear me screaming.
At God. The same God I've loved and trusted since childhood. The One who said in Scripture his plans for us are good, plans to give us hope and a future. Right then He seemed cold and distant and I felt abandoned--and guilty for even thinking that way.
Do you ever have times like that?
That's why Easter matters 365 days of the year
Easter means we don't have to beat up on ourselves because we blew it. Or questioned. (Or screamed at God.)
How can that be true? Because Jesus paid for all our failures on the cross.
That's not all. He conquered Satan--the devil, the author of despair and failure--when He rose from the dead.
What's more, Jesus came back to earth and showed himself to His followers several times, fully alive and fully human, as all four
Gospel writers recount for us. These sorrowing believers touched His human flesh and were overwhelmed with rejoicing. He walked with them and talked with them and ate regular food with them. Jesus' presence transformed their depression and fear into joy and renewed faith.
Because of Easter you and I can have hope, even in our lowest moments.
Because of Easter God will never turn away from us when we get discouraged or feel we've let down everyone we love.
On our dark days we can clutch onto these promises from Scripture and hold them close to our hearts:
But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us...For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life... Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. -Romans 5:1, John 3:16, Rom. 5:5:8
It's not about how good we are or whether we checked all the boxes. The Good News of Easter is that when we believe in Jesus as our Savior, God looks at us through Jesus and sees us as if we were perfect, like His only Son.
It is all because of Jesus that our Heavenly Father counts us worthy of love, no matter what.
Even "heroes of faith" sometimes get discouraged
The Apostle Paul often is labeled this way because of all the suffering he endured in his life. Yet he was human. Just like you and me, he asked God, "Why?"
For example, he pleaded repeatedly with God to take away his "thorn in the flesh," that mystery problem or medical condition that dogged him.
Each time God answered, "No."
Paul could have given up in despair, but he responded this way:
But [the Lord] said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." -2 Corinthians 12:9
Whatever it was, that "thorn" troubled Paul all through his life. Every day Paul counted on the Lord's strength, not his own, to get him through.
Paul's humble, teachable spirit enabled the Holy Spirit to use him to spread the Gospel widely and with power. We call Paul's letters "Epistles" and they constitute 14 of the 27 books in the New Testament. We believers still count them precious.
Doesn't this prove that God will not turn away from us if we dare to ask, "Why, God?" Or when we sometimes give in to despair?
Easter means we don't have to stay stuck in our pit of gloom
His grace is sufficient for you and me, too. In our times of weakness we can count on God's promises and by faith, find courage and strength to go on.
Many of us know by experience how these words of Paul still bring strength, whether we say them in our minds or aloud--as often as needed:
I can do all things through him who strengthens me. -Philippians 4:13
Easter is our guarantee that we are not abandoned. Easter is our reason for hope and our comfort in despair.
It's all because the tomb was empty
Our pastor makes sure even the young children know that. Every Sunday when they come forward for the children's message, he asks, "How do we know Jesus loves us?"
Somebody always says, "'Cuz He died on the cross for us."
"Did Jesus stay dead?"
They always answer with a shout, "NO! He rose from the grave! He's alive!"
Then he asks the kids, "So where is Jesus now"
With one voice they answer, "He's in our hearts! He lives in our hearts!"
That's exactly what Jesus told His followers when He came back to be with them for just a little while. Here's Matthew 28:20:
"And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
He is alive! Now. With us, living in our hearts. We're not in this mess alone and despite our failings, he never gives up on us. Never. Never.
Let's consider that light for our dark days!
My friend, may you know the truth of the Apostle Paul's words. They are Truth for you and for me still today--and every day.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
Lenore
*"B.C." cartoon by the late, great Johnny Hart
