On the Tuesday of Holy Week I feel like I should be writing a blog about Easter. But, honestly, I am just not feeling it. Although Easter is one of the latest dates it can be on the calendar this year, I feel like it snuck up on me - pushed aside by the busy, the worry, the fear and a preoccupation with situations that feel out of my control right now.
This used to happen for me at Christmas as well. Mostly because I was overscheduled and running as fast I could from event to event, and store to store, until I almost ran right past Christmas all together.
That is until I finally slowed down, learned to say no to so many activities, and added Ann Voskamp’s book, The Greatest Gift: Unwrapping the Full Love Story of Christmas, in 2013. It is a devotional for Advent that keeps me engaged in Jesus birth and focused on the true meaning of the season during the 30 days leading up to Christmas.
Knowing where I am right now spiritually & emotionally, I looked for a Lenten devotional back in late February and could not find one that was appealing. I have since found Preparing for Easter: 50 Devotional Readings from C.S. Lewis that I will start doing next year - which is not very helpful for what I am feeling right now.
I want to live in the victory of the resurrected Christ – not just at Easter – but every day, all year round, day in and day out. Isaiah 53:5 says, “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities: the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.”
It is not too late to reflect on the true meaning of Easter or to enter into Holy Week (the events leading up to Christ’s death and resurrection) with a feeling of reflection and a heart overflowing with gratitude. Take time to read a Biblical account of the events surrounding Easter. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John all tell the story of Jesus triumphal entry, trial, crucifixion, burial and resurrection.
As for me, I think I will post this blog and retire to my bubble bath with a copy of Liz Curtis Higgs new book, The Women of Easter: Encounter the Savior with Mary of Bethany, Mary of Nazareth and Mary Magdalene. Because it is not too late to slow down, release the fear, release the worry, let go of the situations that feel beyond our control and give them over to Jesus so that we can more fully ponder the true meaning of Easter and what it means to us.
Precious Father - Thank you that through the sacrifice of your Son on the cross we have been resurrected into a new life that gives us the opportunity for freedom from sin. Please help us to slow down this week to anticipate with sadness Christ’s crucifixion and with eternal gladness his resurrection. Amen.