“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” Galatians 2:20
After Easter…how do I live? Do I go back to ways that forget what the Crucified Christ means to me and how His resurrection affects me?
Easter is central to my Christian beliefs. His crucifixion is very difficult for me and yet His resurrection is resplendent. Easter is a beautiful remembrance of all Christ did for me over 2,000 years ago and Who He is to me now. I want to live intentionally and thoughtfully in regards to what it means to be a person of the Resurrection in my world all year. I want to continuously experience the Presence of the Living Christ. I want to then walk in His Presence before others.
Yet, I seem to still be in the womb so much of the time, afraid to come out. (As a baby in my mother’s womb, I did not want to exit then either! Mom said her labor was hard and long. “You just fought,” she said.) Christ holds me near as I learn to walk in His Light more and more. I must come out from the womb, that darkness. I am to do His will on roads, in cafes, in hospital rooms, in homes…the world. This is not a doable calling from a safe, warm womb.
He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of His people He will take away from all the earth, for the LORD has spoken. Isaiah 25:8 ESV
As a person of the Resurrection, I would like to believe that my life shines Christ for others to see, hear, and read, sensing that they have touched the Living Christ, the Hand of God. Sometimes, this is true, but not always, to be sure. I want to be less of Linda and more of Christ with each moment. I am continuously being woven into the tapestry that will be perfect in Eternity…one.thread.at.a.time.
Easter brings HOPE. As a person of the Resurrection, I pray I am able to offer the beauty of HOPE to a world that finds reasons all around for despair, fear, and hopelessness.
Being a person of the Resurrection allows me to live under the umbrella of God’s GRACE and MERCY. I accept His forgiveness, offered to me in love. I pray, too, that I may give these generously.
Easter is all about LOVE…“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:16 As a person of the Resurrection, I desire to love from His heart, to give from His hand, and share the LORD through my actions, words, love, and life. May this LOVE cause me to be open and caring towards others.
As a person of the Resurrection, I do know that the Holy Spirit has come upon me. I also know that my humanness squelches Him under the Linda that thinks she needs to be in control. Forgive me, LORD. Please forgive me.
As a person of the Resurrection, I no longer live in the dark, but carry the Light of Jesus within me as I share light in a dark world.
God, make me Yours wholly. Give me courage and strength to be the Linda You desire of me. Give me wisdom that I would have Your Words and the openness to share Your Truth. I want to be one of Your people of the Resurrection each and every day, walking in faith. As You continue to grow me, may I spread hope, love, grace, mercy, and light through Your Truth. Thank You for giving me life through the death and resurrection of Your One and Only Son, Christ Jesus. You truly are gracious towards me, Father. May I carry a Daffodil of peace with me, LORD, wherever I go. Daffodils just seems to be filled with hope, joy, love, and beauty, all that You are Abba Father. In the Name of Your Son, I pray. Amen.
Filed under: Devotionals, God's Word, Pondering Tagged: Christ, Christianity, crucify, Easter, God, grace, Holy Spirit, hope, Jesus, love, mercy, resurrection, The Word, Truth
