Hope

Happy Easter! As we approach Easter Sunday and I have been considering the celebration of Holy Week and the historical events so central to my faith, I continue to be astounded by hope and grace in the midst of the pain and suffering in our world. I can feel in every fibre of my being, and every beat of my heart, the presence of a God who is very real and loves each of us, even in the midst of our rebellion and sin. Easter is a time for hope, for realizing that life is more than just the day to day existence and passing of years. Life does bring sorrow, grief, pain, suffering, and difficulty. All people share in these things, and some seem to experience more than we can comprehend. Yet, life can hold so much joy for us, too. Why is it that the dichotomy of our existence is something we try to avoid rather than embrace? Life holds both joy and sorrow, happiness and brokenness, laughter and tears, dancing and mourning. And all life ends in death.

So how do we find meaning in life as we wrestle with the fact that life can end for any one of us in a split second? That meaning can only be found in the One who created us, loves us, and gives our lives purpose, the One who conquered death and provides us with a hope beyond this life. Jesus is our hope. He is my hope. As the Bible tells us, He is "the resurrection and the life", and when we put our trust in Him, we are redeemed for this life and given a home with him forever at life's end. It is my prayer that Easter 2009 will find you kneeling at the foot of the cross to experience the grace and redeeming sacrifice of Jesus, and that through faith in Him you stand forever in the hope of His resurrection!