Where do we go from here?

I was both encouraged and blessed through the Resurrection Celebration at New River on Sunday. The presence of the Spirit was very evident among us as we reflected on the death of Christ and the Resurrection of our Savior. We worshiped with various individuals and groups of individuals who represented the different age groups that make up our local congregation. A diverse congregation of people have a way of energizing my spirit because I believe it speaks to people these powerful thoughts; "There is room here for me." I am thankful for the diversity that we have in our congregation and I am asking God to lead us into the harvest fields so that our diversity can even become greater and more distinct among us.

But I am addressing this question today; "Where do we go from here?" The celebration service is now a part of our memory bank. The special music has faded into the background. The Easter clothes have been placed back in the closet and the children as well as the adults have had their fill of chocolate and peanut butter eggs. The bunny rabbit has been removed from the mall and the "Easter items" are now on the discount shelves in the local stores.

Each of these above mentioned ideas may have had a place in your life over the past few days. BUT THERE HAS TO BE MORE TO EASTER THAN JUST THINGS!! The celebration of what we call Easter is about a person. It is more than songs. It is more than plastic eggs filled with candy. It is more than special music and special services at a local church. We can use songs, special services and special props to teach about the power of the Resurrection but Easter is about a person, Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. 

Our commitment to walk with Jesus and follow His guidance needs to be stronger after Easter than it was before Easter. The proof as well as the power of the Resurrection reminds us of the opportunity that each of us have regarding our relationship with Christ. Christ is alive and He desires to be relevant in our lives today. The old song says, "...And He walks with me, and He talks with me and He tells me that I am His own..." The celebration of Easter causes us to refocus on the price that Jesus paid for our redemption and rescue as He died on the cross. The celebration of Easter causes us to refocus on the authority and power that resides in our Lord and Savior and was demonstrated through the resurrection. Each of us would do well to refocus on these points and allow the presence of our Savior to reconnect with our hearts.

The words of Hebrews 12:1-2 defines my response to the question that I posed in this post.

Hebrews 12:2, "Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (NJKV)