When I was a kid, Easter was all about the candy—and how much my siblings and I could consume before our parents pulled the plug on our holiday sugar fix.
Of course, we dyed eggs. And I looked forward to wearing a new Easter dress. But, back then I had no idea there was more to this springtime celebration.
Infinitely more.
When I was 17, I learned about the true and deeper meaning of Easter—the amazing grace, love and forgiveness available to each of us through Jesus Christ. His pain; our gain. His death gave us life forever.
I discovered God’s love.
And it changed everything.
Our amazing God demonstrated His great love in a way the world would never forget. John 3:16 tells us,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
That, my friend, is very good news.
Because of what Jesus Christ accomplished, overcoming death and rising again victorious and alive, we can live
forever,
forgiven and
free!
That is the hope and joy of Easter. Best gift ever.
Let’s celebrate!
So, how can we live out the joy of Easter every day? Here are four (4) key ideas:
1. Death precedes resurrection.
There is no glorious Easter Sunday without Good Friday. Jesus had to die before he rose victorious and alive.
Likewise, some things in our own lives need to “die,” to be surrendered to God, so we can become all that we’re intended to be.
Here’s an example.
Think of a seed falling to the ground. Jesus said (John 12: 24): “Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.”
Alone, one seed is just a seed. But planted, a seed will grow into a beautiful plant or flower. Or, a crop of wheat. But the seed has to die before it brings forth life.
Just as the seed surrenders to the soil, we learn to surrender our selfish and sinful ways. It’s not always easy. But as we persevere—and wait—we find that God grows in us His best outcomes and lasting spiritual fruit.
2. There’s a time to wait.
After Christ was buried in a tomb, silence.
For three days.
In our own lives, after we’ve surrendered different areas of our lives to God, we often have to wait days, years, or even decades for things to change.
But it is in these quiet and dark seasons of life that our character is tested. And we grow stronger.
How will you respond while you wait—with patience and faith, or with pouting and fear?
The good news is that eventually a seed begins to sprout. And it bears fruit.
So, too, we can reap a harvest of blessings from our surrendered hopes and dreams as we persevere and have faith.
Galatians 6:9 reminds us to trust God’s timing: “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
3. Believe for the day things “arise.”
At the first break of dawn, on the third day after He was buried, a group of people went to the tomb to check on the body of Jesus.
Here’s what happened:
As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. “Don’t be alarmed,” he said.
“You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.'” (Mark 16:5-7)
Easter means ultimate victory!
Christ arose from death to life. And today, Jesus resurrects hopes and dreams in our lives, too.
To our joyful surprise, we arise to:
JOY after sorrow.
PEACE after pain.
FORGIVENESS after an argument.
HOPE for the days ahead.
4. Live like you believe.
Easter is only one day of the year. But you can live the joy of the holiday every day as you learn to let go and trust God will lead you into a fruitful and triumphant life.
Do you have life dreams and desires that seem dead?
Perhaps it’s a dream of a healthy dating relationship, a great marriage, a loving family? Do you desire to start a business or ministry, lose weight or do something that seems like it’s never going to happen?
As believers, we have “incomparably great power…that power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead.” (see Ephesians 1:19-20).
That’s some kind of power!
God’s strength is available to us today—and every day.
PREPARE FOR EASTER. As you anticipate Easter, try some of these ideas to prepare your heart for Resurrection Sunday.
- Read the Easter story. Sure, this may be a familiar story. But read it again, or even read it aloud, and find some new insights this year. Turn to the book of Mark (or any of the Gospels) in your Bible and read what God has done, and how much he loves you.
- Reflect. In your prayer time, ask God what you need to surrender, to let go of in your own life. And, ask what you need to “arise to” in your life. Ask Him for the strength to do what you need to do.
- Gather with other believers at church on Easter morning. Maybe find a sunrise service in your area held outdoors, which can be inspiring in new ways.
May the JOY of Easter be with you this season, and always!
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