Easter Monday

The problem is not belief in the resurrection,
but whether we live lives that would make no sense
if in fact Jesus has not been raised from the dead.
~ Stanley Hauerwas (Matthew)

I’m a bit distracted this morning by thoughts of Easter. I did my part in the production of Easter Sunday, but has my life changed? As Hauerwas entreats, do I live a life that reveals my knowledge and complete belief in the resurrection of Jesus? I wonder. Josh Dew, a friend who wants to create a coffee shop missional church plant, got me thinking about the concept this morning with his Facebook post. He’s kinda artsy and edgy and loves Jesus like crazy. Here’s part of his envious perspective from coffee shop conversations with those far from Christ:

I heard a lot of grumbling and complaining by people who don’t believe in God or the Bible. These people believe that hypocritical Christians try to mix Christ with pagan culture and lie to their children about what’s real and what’s not.

How does the world see Easter? As the festivities quiet down, has anything changed? How can we break from the mold that society casts on us?

Whew! A lot to consider. Perhaps I’ll read Lamentations over and over!!

Before getting too far down on myself for my outward behavior, I hope to remember the words of scripture that help lift me:

Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad;
let the sea resound, and all that is in it.
Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them;
let all the trees of the forest sing for joy.
Let all creation rejoice before the Lord, for he comes,
he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness
and the peoples in his faithfulness.
Psalm 96:11-13

I will join in creation, I will rejoice and be jubilant with all my heart.

It’s no surprise to Jesus when we deny him, times when our actions betray him; our humanity will show up at the worst of times. Just after Peter’s proclamation and Jesus’ declaration that Peter will deny him three times, our Lord pauses to provide this reassurance:

“Do not let your hearts be troubled.
You believe in God;
believe also in me.
My Father’s house has many rooms;
if that were not so,
would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?
And if I go and prepare a place for you,
I will come back and take you to be with me
that you also may be where I am.
You know the way to the place where I am going.”
John 14:1-5

One of Rich Mullins’ last songs on earth, That where I am, there you may also be, fills my mind and captures the moment.

Pentecost is coming, June 4, 2017 this time around the sun. Lord, may I live a life that is different because of Easter.