Perspectives

At our small group last night, the question was posed: “What difference does the resurrection mean to you today?” Now, this is a question for thought! Not that there are not immediate answers, that Jesus would not be here if he had not been resurrected, that this was His history to fulfill. But after thought, I did come up with what it means to me.

In John 11:25-26 Jesus says “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live; And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?” (KJV)

For me, this is a promise of God to his family, those who are adopted into His family. Now, this does not mean that we would not die while here on earth, but we will have everlasting life with him in heaven. Our Father loves us so much that He came to earth, lived and died for us, for you and me! What a wonderful gift, and free for us to accept.

“But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.” (Acts 2:24, NIV)

Jesus conquered death, leading the way for us to see the truth of the gospel, that He came as a man, lived here with us, died and was risen again, showing us the way to our adoption into His family.

Our next question was, how do I keep this truth in focus each day? This is the more difficult question, as I look at what is going on in the world today, not just here in my city, but the region, the province, the country, and the world.

But for me, here in my small are of the world, this is what I see each day. Stores closing, people asked to keep away from others, (at least by 6 feet), fear showing up in the eyes that we can see above the masks that we are asked to wear. Some get anxious, going out and buying loads of supplies, toilet paper was one item that disappeared quickly the first time around last March. I can’t just leave my house, free from the masks, just go out and drive somewhere, stop to get a bite (the restaurants are closed), have a day talking to others without worrying who might be sick and who is not.

I know there are times in history where things were bad. During war times, windows needed to be blacked out, supplies were bought with stamps that allowed certain amounts per household. Some foods were not even available. People had to learn what to do in case of the air raid horns sounding,

Even during times of peace, living in an area that would be prone to earthquakes, hurricanes, tornados, you learned what to do in an emergency.

So, even though I complain about wearing the masks, keeping away from friends, and not being able to even see my family, as the border between us and them is closed, even through all of this, I still look to my Father for support, more emotional than physical. And this includes knowing that He was raised from the dead, He conquered death. He is still here with me, with us. Through days where I cannot see Him as well as other days, He is still by my side, and by the side of all His children. All of us who have accepted Him as our Saviour, our Lord.

He is in my heart, and wants to be in your heart too. He does not want to lose any of His children, the least is as important as any one.

So when things seem on the edge of the precipice, look towards heaven, His arms are there, He conquered death. He is still here, waiting for you to ask Him in.

So daily, I take time to remember all these things, to keep my focus on what was done for me, for us, for the world, even though I don’t see the why, or reasons for what happens. It is not mine to know. But I do know this, I am loved, I am not perfect, but I am my Fathers child.