End of Easter Ponderings

We had a question posed to us this morning during Bible study. It was a question asked by our friend who was leading us. It was a question asked by her sweet granddaughter’s upon her realization that Easter was over. 

The question? 2 simple words…

“Now what?”

Now that all the build up, the Lenten fasting, the palm branches, the Good Friday services the empty tomb celebrations, the egg hunts and elaborate meals have been set aside for another year…

Now what?

Now that we’ve been reminded of the grueling, excruciating sacrifice that Christ made for us so that we, like him, can live resurrected lives…

Now what? 

Now that we have assurance of eternal life with Christ…

Now what?

I’ve often thought that people have a much easier time, spiritually speaking, embracing Christmas because who doesn’t love a newborn? And really, what threat does a newborn ever pose to anyone? None. At all. A newborn makes us feel warm and fuzzy and intoxicated by their yummy scent. Spiritually, a newborn is safe and doesn’t really require anything of us except joy.

Easter is messier. Easter is gut-wrenching when you contemplate what Christ endured on our behalf. Easter threatens our happy little church experiences if we really grasp its weightiness and the eternal significance it represents. The resurrected Christ isn't safe!

Todays’s question got me thinking, really…

Now what?

Now that the reality of Christ’s death, burial and resurrection has become a non-negotiable truth in my own life, what am I going to do about it? It seems to me that if someone had been pronounced dead, was buried and then simply walked out of their tomb, they would probably not be concerned with living a safe life because the worst thing that could ever happen to them already had and yet, here they were…alive for all eternity. 

Shouldn’t that change us? Shouldn’t that make us wake up every day and ask the Lord…

Now what? 

What would you have me do to make today count? What would you have me do today to show you the depth of my appreciation for your supreme sacrifice? How would you have me represent you to everyone I come in to contact with today?

Life is hard and suffering is inevitable. We will experience deep grief at times and sometimes even persecution. I’m not trying to minimize the pain of any of this, but I also know that the worst thing that could ever happen to us won’t if we have surrendered to Christ and walk in freedom with him. I have the assurance that I live a resurrected life in Christ and the promise of eternity is mine to hold. So really…

Now what?