Awaken This Easter

This Sunday, a holiday arrives that signals the triumph over death and the grave. Sunday marks the day Christ Jesus gave us the gift of rebirth and eternal life. I have pondered the mystery of this and as I look out at the trees blowing I feel I grasped a conclusion. Spring is a time to leave the cold claws of winter and embrace new life. Animals flourish, plants open, and we flee the dark confines of a home in exchange for the sunlight.

Spring signals rebirth and leaving death, just as Easter gives us a chance to leave fear and death. Forever.

By faith, us Christians cling to Jesus’ promise of eternal life, which we received by His blood that bled. But we must also cling to Him through our ‘winters’ of life. Easter should grow our faith in Him and every promise.

Yet, sometimes our own ‘winters’ and ‘tombs’ feel much more safe.

Why Must We Awaken With Christ?

The essence of Easter is that Jesus died and rose for us, our sins; saving us from an eternity living in hell. He saved us from ourselves and death, itself. If we had not accepted this gift, we would be living faithless lives in fear. Our hearts would have a void as vast as the ocean. Our sins would never be covered and exposed by love. Nor would we ever have citizenship in heaven.

If we had not woke up and reached for Christ, we would be as the walking dead. Full of fear, hopelessness, wickedness and death.

Here’s an example: In the winter, bears hibernate. In hibernation, they sleep so deeply that they are near death, yet they live. There may be no foraging, mating, fishing, or even living for that bear, but he is alive. Ever waiting for spring, that stir of life. When hibernation ends, the bear emerges and hunger overtakes it. Bears will set out to eat their fill once more, in ravaging excitement and need.

We Can Leave Slumber!

That need has been satisfied for us. 1 Corinthians 15:18 tells us much the same of sleeping: “That those who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost.” (NIV) But, God made a way. (I adore anytime there is an and or but in the Word.)  Further in the chapter, we read this and now can say this for ourselves: “Where, O death is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is in sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (NIV)

People must leave their own hibernation. We must awaken so we can live life as it was mean to be lived. We set out to feed our souls and grow our faith. Because only there, having left slumbering death, do we take hold of life. Take hold of faith.

Grasp Faith Tightly

Once we awaken from our proverbial hibernation, we are new. Freed. But life doesn’t get easier. I know that and you know that. This world will still drain us and try to steal our joy and life. It still will try and send new trials that may push us into a hibernation. Anyone who lives in the world and breaths as you and me, can attest to feeling weary. But we must look to our faith and rest assured of its power as life and ‘winters’ reach for us. Easter reminds us that God makes ways and holds us. Easter should grow our faith.

3 Reminders and Benefits of Faith

Faith gives peace

Romans 5:1 tells us that not only are we justified by faith, but we have peace with God through Christ. By Christ dying, our souls need no longer feel separation from God. He will bestow upon us peace that surpasses all understanding. And now we have peace because of Christ’s covering He gave us over our sins. Happy day!

Faith has power

Jesus spoke numerous times of the power faith is and how it can change lives. From Mark 11:22 gives an epic example of this: “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. “Truly, I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them.” (NIV)

How many times in life do we let fear and pain infuse our doubts? Even our prayers become infused with doubt. I know mine can. This verse is so encouraging because Jesus is illustrating that we must not think anything is too big for Him.

Faith is a lifestyle not a mere word

Faith is an action. Once more, Easter should grow our faith. Because once we are saved and believe, it becomes a lifestyle. We are out of hibernation and have embraced life. How could we ever live the same? Faith is much the same. Its actions and prayers day by day that grow us. Faith is cultivated over and over again. It grows just as we do in Christ. We walk in this way, we walk by faith, not simply say we have it. We must walk the walk.

Victory in Easter and Faith

As Easter approaches, take the time and look to the beauty of spring, the gift you have been given, the faith you receive, and the promise of what is to come. Easter should grow our faith, cultivating the awakening of Christ within our hearts. And that awakening of Christ, should awaken our lives to live fully for Him. In faith.