Be Grateful
This Easter, create a gratitude list. Write as many things as you can think of that you are grateful for in your life. So many people spend time focusing on the bad things that have happened to them, rather than looking at all of the good things that are happening in their life every single day. Next to each item on the list, write “God is there.” The Bible tells us with God, all things are possible (Matthew 19:26). God’s love makes all things possible. At the end of writing this list, give thanks to God. Psalm 107:1 says “Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever.” Each time you look over this list, you will be reminded that God is present in all of your circumstances.
Pay Attention to the Cross
We often focus on the cross as a symbol of suffering and sadness, particularly in the days leading up to Easter. Death by crucifixion was one of the most painful experiences imaginable, and Jesus’ suffering on the cross was far more excruciating than any suffering most of us will ever face. But the cross represents more than suffering. It is a symbol of the blessings bestowed upon us by God. This Easter, focus on the cross not solely as a symbol of suffering, but a symbol of forgiveness, and God’s saving grace. All of our sins were placed on Jesus, and when He suffered and died, He cleansed us of our sins so that we would have new life in Him. The Bible tells us “Since He did not spare even His own Son but gave Him up for us all, won’t He also give us everything else?” (Romans 8:32 NLT). Through the cross, we see that even in the harshest of trials will come to you as a blessing, for good, no matter how hard the trial is that you are facing. The cross reminds us to place our faith in a God who is good who loves us mightily.
Be Inspired By God’s Word
Think of a Bible verse or passage that speaks to you, and allow these words to inspire you throughout Easter. John 3:16 is a great verse to reflect on particularly at Easter time: “For God so loved the world so much that he gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.” This verse reminds us that it is only by God’s grace – His underserved mercy – that we can have eternal life with Him. Jesus came so that we may have life and have it abundantly (John 10:10). God’s never ending grace and forgiveness offers us a life full of blessings and purpose.
Take Time to Be Mindful of God’s Presence
If you are like most people in this day in age, you live life on the go. In the chaos of your life, you may sometimes forget to take out time to be mindful of God’s presence, or to think about the condition of your soul which thrives on the presence of God. This Easter, be intentional about taking out time for God, especially if you haven’t been placing God first on your priority list. This can be a time of prayer with God, or a time of silence and reflection. Don’t underestimate the power of prayer, or solitude with God. We are told in James 4:8 “draw near to God, and He will draw close to you.” Daily prayer allows us to not only reflect on the daily aspects of our life with God, and share our concerns, but it also reminds us that God is beside us in our circumstances.
Live the Good News
Hardly a day goes by when we are not confronted with the reality of sin and death – in ourselves and around us. This Easter, try to be conscious of the reality of sin and death, and act fearlessly in the face of it. Too many people in our culture deny the reality of sin and death, but our faith gives us another way. Even in the places where we encounter the greatest darkness, brokenness and confusion, we will find God. We discover our Savior in these moments. This is where we experience the Good News. In those every day places – where we experience weakness, emptiness and brokenness – God’s love is most powerfully present. When we are attentive in our faith, we see God’s grace in every situation: a love the world cannot give.
The message of Easter is death is not the end. Jesus tells us “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never die” (John 11:25-26 NLT). The resurrection of Jesus was the death of death. Grace is God’s love in action and we are surrounded by love through God’s saving grace. Challenge yourself to commit or recommit to being in a personal relationship with God, who loves without bounds. Be mindful that God is there, in every moment of your life. God not only does not give us more than we can handle. He helps us handle what we are given. Remember God’s fulfilled promise of new life through Jesus’ death and resurrection, the greatest example of love we can ever know.
