Easter

Earlier today, as I attempted to make my way through the Easter candy aisle at the Wal Marts with all the other procrastinators, I overheard a conversation between a boy and his mom.

The boy looked to be around 8 years old, and as they shopped he asked "Mom, what's Easter all about?"
The mom paused for a moment and seemed surprised. She asked, "You don't know what Easter's about?"
She stopped to pick up a chocolate bunny and the boy asked the question again.
The mom repeated, "You don't know what Easter's about?"
She changed the conversation and moved on.

Oh how many things I wanted to say.
I wanted to tell the boy what Easter was all about.
I wanted to tell him how Easter changes lives.
I wanted to say to his mom: Tell him now, while he wants to know. He's asking! Tell him.


Tomorrow, as you know, is Easter Sunday.

I usually keep it fairly light around here.
Poke a little fun at myself, PtB, my strange children.
But if you will bear with me today, what I'd like to share is a bit more heavy.


In the morning I will worship in church and will marvel again at what Jesus did on the cross.
I will feel the joy that flows whenever I contemplate it.
And I will know a deep thankfulness.


Then I will think about you. My friends and my family and I will wonder, do they know? Has anyone ever told them?

So often I want to bring it up and don't.
Why?
Because I don't want to come across as preachy or judgmental. I don't want to step on your toes. After all, it's so politically incorrect to say that I know the only way to eternal life.

Did you catch that?
I don't share because I don't want to be thought badly of. Me. I am caring more about what you might think of me. I don't want to be offensive.

Forgive me friends. Let me never be so selfish.

It's like I've been given the winning lotto numbers. Each person with the numbers will get a billion dollars. And I'm just holding onto them when we could all share in the bounty.

So let me just share with you the winning numbers:
God created us. We chose to turn from Him. He desires for us to be back in communion with Him, but our sinfulness creates a barrier between us and a holy God. He required a perfect sacrifice to pay our penalty. He sent his son Jesus to earth to be that sacrifice. Jesus willingly died for us. He rose again. If we but accept his payment we are reconciled to a loving God.

Would you consider something this Easter?
If you don't believe there is a God, if you believe there is one but you think you're doing okay at this whole life thing, if you don't know what you think.

Would you consider the possibility that what the Bible says is true?

Maybe some of you have been hurt by people who call themselves Christians. Maybe some of you can't reconcile things that you have seen in this world with a loving God.

I don't have all of the answers, but I do have faith.
And I also know that choosing not to believe in something doesn't make it untrue.  

So I would challenge you to think about this. Not only for yourself, but for your children, your spouse, your family.
God knows your heart. If you're not sure what to believe, then tell Him.
Ask Him to reveal himself to you.
Not in a "if you're really there then strike my mother-in-law's house with lightening"* kind of  challenge, but with a heartfelt openness.

Something like: "Hey God? I'm not really sure what to think about you. But I have to admit that I don't know everything. I might be wrong. I want to know the truth. Would you pursue me? Would you soften my heart and reveal yourself to me? Thanks. Me."

Not so hard, right? No contracts to sign. Just an honest appraisal and and honest request.

Thanks for reading.
If any of you ever want to talk about faith, I'd love to chat with you.

Wishing you all a joyful Easter!

*sorry PtB, couldn't let that one slip by ;)