He is risen! What a week it has been – this week of passion has been such a wonderful time of reflection! Hopefully it has been as much a blessing for you as it has for me. Easter Sunday’s services have been filled with nothing but God’s love, and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it! From Easter sunrise service to Sunday school to the morning and evening worship services, I am filled up to overflowing with blessings.
Today’s devotion is simple – With all that this Easter holiday represents, I would like to encourage us all to reflect on our spirituality. I know I talk about this a ton, but it’s something that I deal with on an everyday basis – sometimes life gets in the way. We’re too busy going here and doing that, we lose focus on the truly important things in life.
Honestly, this devotion is just as much – if not more – for me as it is for you. Holidays can be the best time to stop and think simply because they are holidays, where typically the everyday “busyness” of life seems to halt. Today has been like that for me, and I’ve learned – or re-learned – the importance of reflecting on myself and my relationship with God. You know, contrary to our minds’ beliefs, we don’t know everything! We have no business having one-way communication with God. We must stop to incorporate that two-way communication that our relationships with God must have. Not only do we really need that constant communication but the most important factor is that we listen. Listening is probably the one aspect that we fail to include in our everyday lives.
This Easter I took the time to reflect. I realized a few things about myself through that time of reflection. One of the things I realized was how much I forget to listen. That really made me stop and think. I reflected on the absolute grace God has given us. This holiday is so special for every Christian. I’m so thankful that we stop and think about what this day represents for every person.
Even though Easter has officially ended, this time of reflection on Jesus Christ’s resurrection is never over! He has risen! Matthew 28 tells of this wonderful story. I encourage you to read it and then take time to reflect on your relationship with Him. He did so very much for each and every one of us – things we simply do not deserve. Let’s not take anything for granted and give God all the praise and glory He so richly deserves!
“In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you. And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word. And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him. Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me. Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done. And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers, Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept. And if this come to the governor’s ears, we will persuade him, and secure you. So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day. Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”