There is no better season to teach us about hope than spring and no more beautiful way than the Easter message. Easter is the story of hope!  From our home to yours, we wish you a meaningful and hopeful Easter!

I get it.  You’re tired.  I’m tired too.  In fact, it feels like the entire world is tired this year.  For two years, we have encouraged one another to take things a day at a time, that things will get better, that there is still hope.

And yet, over two years, we have literally watched destruction, death, depression, wars, and rumors of wars…right on our own doorstep.  Not just to “other people”, but to us.  To our friends, our co-workers, our family, our community.

And yet, another Easter message rolls around, ringing ever so loudly with the message of hope, if only we are intentional to hear it.

As I have reflected upon the Easter message over the past few weeks, a few thoughts have been resonating with my heart.  Today, on this Easter Sunday, perhaps it will inspire a little extra hope for you too.

An Easter Message of Beautiful Hope

“When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’  body.  Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?”  But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away.”  Mark 16:1-4

I really enjoy history and I especially love thinking about history from varied perspectives of the characters involved.  The history of that first Easter is certainly no different.  When I try to place myself in the shoes of these ladies, heartbroken friends of Jesus, the significance of the stone at the tomb seems overwhelming.

They must have been exhausted.  Grief and trauma, compounded with senselessness and unfairness…it all must have left them ever so tired.  And yet, they carried on, purchasing the spices and making the walk to just do the next thing.  Really, the only thing they knew to do to show their faithfulness to their friend, their Messiah, their Jesus.

When physical or mental weariness, pain, grief, or discouragement threaten to overwhelm you, just do the next thing.  The next day, the next hour, the next minute.  

Dare I say, there must have been a sense of frustration, too.  In the midst of trying to do the right thing, it seemed impossible.  How on earth would they move that incredibly large, impossibly heavy stone?

The right thing can sometimes, oftentimes, feel impossible and like a heavy burden.  But it’s still the right thing.  Carry on.

Right in the middle of their frustration and weariness, they discovered the miracle.  The stone that they would never be able to move on their own had been taken care of.  The way had been made.  The impossible happened.

“As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.  “Don’t be alarmed,” he said.  “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified.  He has risen!  He is not here!”

The miracle usually isn’t in the obvious or expected.  Hope doesn’t follow a common path.

The very large, very heavy stone you’re facing probably won’t be moved in the way you expect.  I don’t know what that stone is: physical concerns, broken relationships, financial burdens, challenges at work, loss, grief, anger, fear…you name it.  And if there is no heavy stone in your path right now, life will make sure one appears at some point.  It is the nature of the fallen world we live in here on Earth.

I don’t know when, nor how, that stone that looms large, right in the middle of your path, will be moved.

But history…the Easter message…teaches us to hope, regardless of how heavy or large the stone may be.

It’s not yours or mine to move.

This Easter, can we recognize the impossibility of moving the stone ourselves and leave the impossible up to God?

Can we recognize that all of these human emotions are real, and yet, hope conquers all?

The great and amazing love and grace of God carries all the hope for all humanity, and that includes you and me too.

The message of Easter is hope.

People who have it all together and aren’t beaten down, tired, and worn from life aren’t searching for hope.  But if, this Easter, you find yourself feeling a bit tired from the heaviness of the world, then know that the Easter message is for you.

“For in this hope we are saved.  But hope that is seen is no hope at all.  Who hopes for what they already have?”  Romans 8:24

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world.”  John 16:33

So this Easter, I wish you a Hopeful Easter.. Because that really is the big message of Easter for each and every one of us.  When we recognize that the stone isn’t ours to roll away and He is working in the seemingly impossible, we can rest.  In that hope, we can find joy and peace that pass all understanding.

From our family to yours, Happy Easter!  We will celebrate with all of the fun traditions, time with family, special church services, new outfits for the kids, candy tucked in eggs…all the while remembering the reason for Easter: Hope.

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Blessings,