The loud, boisterous alleluias have quieted down now, our Easter family gatherings have finished and the routines of normal life lie ahead of us. But Easter—as season, attitude and truth—isn’t done yet. In the coming weeks, we’re going to discover again how to recognize and live out our new-lives-in-Christ.
One way to look at the coming Easter season? Something like a track athletes’ training–bulking up on carbs before a race. Storing away the deep energies and capabilities necessary in order to operate at peak levels. We could think of the coming months like a large-scale track meet—hard work that requires our strongest, fiercest efforts.
The coming days could include some perilous times, so the race/journey ahead could be tough: Getting through summer weather that exceeds record temperatures; facing international conflicts that might explode into regional wars; navigating a fractious political campaign season or protecting our loved ones from illness and danger.
During these next weeks, it feels good that the carbohydrate-like influence of Easter will seep into our spiritual muscles and bones, adding heft to our wisdom, flexibility to our capabilities and reserves of energy to our souls. We will hear again how resurrection themes anchor our identities. We will fill the coming days with courageous, lively hope. We will run alongside like-minded others. As the months spool out, the added calories of spiritual bulk will equip us for what’s ahead.
The last verse of The Resurrection Chapter—1 Corinthians 15—can offer us encouragement and blessing. Paul writes to the early Christians, “My dear friends, stand firm and don’t be shaken. Always keep busy working for the Lord. You know that everything you do for him is worthwhile.” 1 Corinthians 15:58 (CEV)
Alleluia and amen….
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