Hi everyone,

I need to be honest with you all, I’ve been having a tough run. I don’t know if it’s because of my milestone birthday, my increasing awareness of my body’s limitations that I had the luxury to ignore before, or just the general badness of the world stage. Mentally and emotionally, I have been feeling spent.

I share this not to have any of you feel bad for me or anything, don’t get me wrong. Rather, I want you to know what headspace I’m in as we enter into this time of Easter. This time that recounts the foundation of our faith. This season in which we are reminded of our identity. This story that most clearly reveals to us that God is with us, loves us, and saves us because of it all.

Yet, I still don’t feel great.

But then I realise, the circumstance that I find myself in doesn’t define me. The exterior stimuli that I can’t control isn’t my identity. The reasons the world tells me to feel bad don’t negate all the reasons God gives me to feel good.

Well, maybe not just good per se, but to feel hope. Feel joy. And to feel peace in knowing that we are all dearly beloved by God. Enough to save us.

Here are the readings for next week:
Jeremiah 31:1-6
Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24
Acts 10:34-43
Matthew 28:1-10
And a video of them being read:

I often wonder what it was like to be the first disciples and/or just living during these biblical times. I wonder what life was like without the modern conveniences we enjoy now. I wonder what it felt like when Jesus was crucified and taken away from our lives.

I imagine that it wasn’t good.

But Jesus returned. Jesus showed up. And Jesus spoke to those closest to him by name.

This is the healing that lifts us up out of hardship. This is the reconciliation that pieces back our community and relationship. This is the love that saves the world.

Now if we’d only get over the things that hold us back (which I’m not belittling as they can be significant), then perhaps we can learn to more see God among us, more feel God holding us, and more know the peace that comes with God loving us in salvation.

This is the Easter promise and the hope that we cling on. Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!

Thanks be to God! Have a great week, everyone!