An Easter to Remember

 

“‘If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.’ By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive.”

For many months, a typical Sunday morning has consisted of meeting with our grandsons Nate and Elliot virtually for Sunday School, then watching the livestreamed worship service from church and finally a time of prayer—sometimes alone in the quiet of our home and occasionally a video conference with the pastor as well as a small group of people from the congregation.

It has been similar to Sundays in “America past” when people attended church from 9:30 to noon, with the exception of church socials or potlucks afterwards! Al and I have been encouraged, inspired and spiritually challenged by the online services and meetings, appreciating all of the support received as well as the opportunities to connect with each other.

One of my goals, however, was to make it back to church in person for the Easter worship service. The building had already been open for a couple of months, following prescribed guidelines, but we decided not to attend services until after receiving our vaccinations.

With those being completed before Easter Sunday, the timing seemed right for a return to worshipping in the sanctuary with our church family. After being away for so long, it seemed strange to think about what to wear. Did we still have shoes and clothes suitable for an Easter celebration? Attendance at our online church functions didn’t require much preparation. We only had to wake up on time, get dressed and turn on the computer. It was fine to wear slippers or be barefoot!

I wondered if I should go shopping the week before the holiday, but then reminded myself 1) that we were in Michigan and that a warm coat would still be needed inside the sanctuary, so it wasn’t crucial to buy new clothes and 2) not to waste time worrying about what to wear, keeping the focus where it should be—on Christ and His resurrection.

We woke up on Easter morning with great anticipation. It would be our first time back in over a year. What would it be like? Al and I even arrived a half hour early, waiting in the car until the doors were unlocked and people started arriving.

 With a warm welcome from the greeters at the entrance and some long-awaited hugs, we settled into a couple of chairs. Looking around, a wooden cross wrapped in a mantle of white was standing in a prominent place in front of the sanctuary and Easter lilies adorned the stage where half a dozen musicians were getting ready to begin.

 Rows of chairs had been separated into configurations for singles, couples and families. Not all of the chairs were filled; only about fifty people were in attendance that morning, with just a few children. It was a smaller number than usual—most likely many people were watching from home as we had been doing previously.

 There was great joy in being together with other believers, joy that was compounded by once again celebrating the resurrection of Christ. Not only did it touch the lives of those who were witnesses to his resurrection, it also has touched the lives of myriads of people—all who have believed in Him over the past 2,000 years!

Easter was especially meaningful this year after experiencing so much pain and difficult changes in our lives. Many of us lost friends and family, had health crises and felt the frustration of being isolated from loved ones. Some were laid off from work, others suffered financially…tough times for all.

Resurrection… the resurgence of life…overcoming death and rising to live again…This resurgence of life can be seen all around us as spring is well underway, perhaps a little earlier than usual here in Michigan. Pansies that were covered by snow, frozen and withered are producing tiny green leaves. Pink buds are opening on the bare branches of the tulip tree outside our living room window; and once dormant bulbs are now starting to bloom—crocuses, daffodils and tulips. New life!

Thirsty for something more? Jesus invites us to “come to Him and drink,” to experience life together with Him. May we respond to His call, come to Him and find resurrection life through the power of the Holy Spirit.

John 7:37b-38 NIV