Happy Easter!

Today we celebrate the victory that God had over death in the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. The best part of this victory is that Jesus is alive, even today. I think that sometimes it is easy for us to get caught up in the moment of Jesus being raised from the dead, and almost forget that Jesus is as alive today as you and me are. And, he promises us that he is coming back for us soon!

Before Jesus’ crucifixion, he ate a final meal with his disciples and he foretold the things that were going to happen to him.

Jesus said to them, “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you may know the way to where I am going.” John 14:1-3

Jesus rose from the dead and ascended to heaven, where he is preparing a place for each of us. Those of us he takes early in death, have places that were finished early. For the rest of us, Jesus is still working, and he promises that he will be back soon to bring us.

The way to this place, eternity, is through belief in Jesus as one’s Lord and Savior. In Romans it says, if you believe in your heart and confess with your mouth, then, you will be saved. Jesus has always loved you and wants you, more than anything. Belief in him is the only way to everlasting life.

The first Easter marked the beginning of the free entrance to God’s presence, through the gift and grace of Jesus Christ. I am so thankful for the grace that God has given to me through Jesus, and the sacrifice that Jesus gave on the cross at Calvary. I cannot wait for the day when I will be united with my Savior. I pray that you all will come to know this grace and be able to spend eternity in the presence of God.

It is Well, With my Soul

It is well; it is well, with my soul

This hymn was written by a man who had just lost his wife and children in an unexpected accident. He wrote it while he was passing by the place where their accident had occurred.

This life is riddled with tragedy of all sorts. Some trials are not as extreme as death, but many things happen that can get the best of us and shift our focus.

This year has been filled with different traces of death for me. My school was impacted by death when senior, Nick Davis, was killed in an accident. My church and friends were impacted by death when, Joel Macurio, was killed in another accident. Most recently, my family was impacted by death when my Aunt Debbie died of cancer on March 25, 2013.

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll; whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say, It is well, it is well with my soul.

In thinking about death, what we can see is the hole that these people have left in our lives today. From our point of view, this life is all that we know and can see. Death brings mystery, pain of loss, and sadness for loved ones who feel the loss. But, it also brings hope.

            While the earthly finality of death can bring a shadow of sadness, the hope that Jesus has overcome and conquered death can bring the light of joy.

            While on the cross, facing his own death, Jesus was insulted and mocked. People claimed that he did not have power to save himself; however, Jesus willingly submitted to God’s plan for him and took on death.

            Later, the family and friends of Jesus were morning and void of hope because they believed that Jesus had come to save them—death was not part of the plan. It was a shock, just as it is a shock to loose a loved one for us now. All they had were the memories, the hole where he was missing from their lives, and the final picture of the suffering he underwent before death.

           

            Some women, who were close friends of Jesus, went early the morning of the Sunday after Jesus had died to put some spices his body. When they reached the place where Jesus had been buried, though, the body was not there. Instead, they were greeted by an angel, who proclaimed that Jesus had risen! Later, they encountered the risen Jesus, and were filled with hope and joy from the knowledge that not only was Jesus alive, but so would then, be those who believe in Jesus.

            This is the same hope that we have for those who we have lost today. Their faith and trust in Christ as Lord and Savior enables them to be at home in heaven.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come, Let this blest assurance control, That Christ has regarded my helpless estate, And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

Paul reassures the Corinthian believers that their Christian loved ones, who have passed, are with Christ. 1 Corinthians 15: 20-22 “ But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.”

            Although we miss our loved ones and grieve for the place where they were in our lives, we can find hope and solace in knowing that they are alive and waiting for us to return home to heaven. 

Therefore we can say, it is well with my soul.

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight, the clouds be rolled back as a scroll; The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend, Even so, it is well with my soul.

Always

Growing up, one thing my parents made sure to reiterate to us was the permanence of tattoos and their fairly strong disapproval of tattoos. Being one who was never fond of pain, I have never thought that I would ever voluntarily get one. Plus, my parents would probably have me burned at the stake if I ever came home with one (ok, that’s a little extreme but they would be severely disappointed in me). So when I came home with the word “always” sharpied on my wrist they were clearly not happy.

I started writing always on my wrist about two months ago. I am a second semester college freshman, and this year has been particularly more difficult, in every aspect of life. I will get into more details as this blog progresses, but for now the important thing is that the past year has brought a lot of stressful things in my life in the areas of school, family, and friends. Through it all, God has been teaching me a lot about life and trust. One of the most important things that was imparted to me was Jesus’ final promise on earth, which comes from Matthew 28:20:

Jesus says: “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age”

This is the last thing that resurrected Jesus said to his disciples before he ascended to take his place on the throne at the right hand of God. It is a promise for each and every one of us. Jesus has always been with you, is always with you, and will always be with you.

It became something that was so important to me to remember, that I had to put it in a place where I would see it every second of every day. So that when those inevitably stressful moments arrived I could look down and remember that Jesus was right there with me, and he always would be. With the knowledge that I had Jesus with me there, something that I have always known but have not always taken the care to remember, I have found security and help in carrying the burdens of my life. With Jesus’ help, you do not have to hold on to things alone, and a great weight can be taken off of your shoulders.

I am not sure how much longer I will have the always on my wrist (although, mom and dad, don’t worry I will never get a tattoo), but what I can say confidently is that Jesus will be right here with me, always.