Why do people celebrate Easter? Is it for candy, colored eggs and other gifts? I used to celebrate Easter for all those reasons. Today, I celebrate Easter because it is all about the gift of Jesus. The ultimate sacrifice that He paid when He broke his body, shed His blood, died on a wood cross and than rose again. Jesus is alive yesterday, today and forever!
Many people say that I have too many problems to reach God right now. I'll come to Him after I have resolved my problems. Guess what? That is not our job. God will resolve our issues and He doesn't need our help. We can call on Him always no matter what we are going through. He wants us to.
The Bible says "God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners" (Romans 5:8 NLT). While we were still sinners tells me to come as I am. Personally, this is a wonderful thing. Left to my own devices, I am so screwed up. I haven't always been a Christian or pastor's wife. My old life consisted of drinking, using, lying and stealing. Praise the Lord that He rescued me before I rot in jail, prison or died from my abuse.
For those that are even reading this, you might be saying, "I can't stand going to church. It is stuffy and full of hypocrites." Here is what I have experienced and learned. When I first started going to church I was looking for all the hypocrites and I found myself. Ouch, yet true. Another thing I have learned over the years is that the church is the people not the building. If you don't want to go to the building, try a Bible study at someone's home. We have one in our home every Monday and it is a warm, friendly atmosphere. I have heard many times how people look forward to it.
My Easter challenge for you is to give your heart to the Lord. He is the only one who walked sinless on earth and died for us. He would rather die and see you live. Our service men and women are the only other people who come to mind when it comes to dying for us. Yet still the fact remains that even they are not sinless.
Happy Easter and may the Lord bless you all.
