HE'S ALIVE!!

The pain, the grief, the loneliness, the loss of hope embodied in Good Friday is past!  He's alive!

The tomb is empty!  He's alive!

. . .

Those aren't just the whispered "headlines" of 2000 years ago.  I believe in the resurrection.  But I don't believe merely in the resurrection of history.  And I don't believe in either the historical resurrection of Jesus or the many ways in which resurrection takes place every day, merely because the Bible tells me Jesus was raised from the dead; not merely because it's what I was taught from the crib, up; not merely because today is the day we call Easter and people celebrate it in all kinds of ways:  some religious, some spiritual (and sometimes, those two overlap), some very commercial.  I don't even believe in His resurrection merely because scripture says He appeared to some 500 people between his resurrection and His ascension, although I believe that's true.

I believe in resurrection, I believe Jesus is alive (alive!!) because I see His transforming power in other people's lives, even as I experience it in my own life.  But consider one of the smaller books of the New Testament:  the Epistle of James.  This is James, the half-brother of Jesus.  This James was a skeptic, during Jesus' ministry.  He ridiculed and criticized Jesus.  And after Jesus' death and resurrection, James became, in fact, the leader of the fledgling church.  That requires transformation--not merely behavior modification, but transformation.  "Be transformed by the renewing of your mind...."  And consider Peter, that rough, somewhat uncouth fisherman who became one of the most powerful preachers, after the Holy Spirit had come and changed him.  That's transformation.

Five and a half years ago, I walked into my church for the first time.  I had been undergoing transformation for a year or more, thanks to the tape ministry of my sister's church.  Some behaviors, some habits I had thoroughly failed to change, on my own, began to fall away, as I learned to release them to the One who could transform me.

Soon after I began attending, I sensed God saying to me, "I'm doing a new thing in you."  First, of course, I had to try getting involved as I had been involved in church for much of my life, although I realized soon enough that that wasn't God's idea.  Then I waited for months on end to learn what He did have in mind.  Once I caught on, my whole outlook changed.  I learned, for the first time in over 50 years, what it was like to wait, to trust, to be guided by God into His plan for me, rather than to decide what I wanted to do and hope He would bless it.  Much better, His way.

Mostly, though, I believe--I know--that Jesus Christ is alive because He has made Himself so real, to me, many times and in many ways.  If He isn't absolutely real to you, He can change that.  Just ask Him.

The tomb is empty; so what?  What difference does that make to you?  He's alive!  What does that mean in your life today?  What will it mean tomorrow?  This week?  What will it mean in mine?

Comments

[beverly]

Hello, Vicki,
I've been offline for a few days, and I'm just getting caught up. This last week was one filled with thought for me as well. I think, in a way, my computer was on the fritz for a reason. I spent much more time comtemplating His sacrifice and redemption for us.

[beverly]

Hi, Vicki,
I nominated you for a Thinking Blog award over at my site.

[Susanna Rose]

"I learned, for the first time in over 50 years, what it was like to wait, to trust, to be guided by God into His plan for me, rather than to decide what I wanted to do and hope He would bless it. Much better, His way."

I love this Vicki! What an important reminder and one I trust that comes after much experience. I think you would be able to give some great wisdom concerning a big, possible change I've begun writing about. My husband and I need LOTS of wisdom right now and guidance and discernment!!!!

[Susanna Rose]

Vicki,

I just wanted you to know that your last comment was very helpful and has given me some guidance as I pray about our possible move. Thanks and I hope you are doing well!