Easter is now past. As we store our Easter paraphernalia, I wonder if thoughts of Christ’s death and resurrection will be stored away in our minds as well? Many of the decorative objects we associate with Easter have nothing at all to do with its true meaning. So if they get all but forgotten until next year, not much difference is noticed in our day to day lives. Not so with Easter’s true symbols!

As I referred in last week’s blog post, the impact of the willing sacrifice of Christ, cost Him more than we can imagine. Death of His body and separation from God, exceed our feeble attempts to describe it. Something of this magnitude cannot be casually laid aside from one year to the next.

Then there’s the power displayed in Christ’ resurrection. How can we be casual of this power that not only restored life to Christ’ body but caused massive earthquakes and raised others from their graves! This power isn’t a type of decoration that we access only once a year. If it is then it is nothing more than a decoration.

But we all know, believers and unbelievers, to bring anyone back from the dead requires something supernatural. And that sort of power was essential to Jesus’ disciples, especially the apostles, in order for them to carry out Jesus’ plan. The plan given to them at Jesus’ final earthly appearance.

That the very same power, the power of the resurrection, is made accessible to us today. It is also essential to us as we live our lives and reflect Christ to those we come in contact with. Why? Because it takes so much more than individual resolve to live for Christ. When life knocks our feet out from under us we need more than personal resolve to get back up and pick up the pieces of our broken selves. And coming forth from trials stronger than we were before the trial, requires strength beyond ourselves. But that is exactly why God supplies us with the very same power that brought Jesus back to life and secures our place in heaven. Because by such power He reassembles the pieces of our broken lives. We then move forward not only whole but stronger.

Therefore, as we cooperate with and access the resurrection power assigned to us at the point of salvation, we have all that we need to contend with the trials and trauma that is a natural part of the world we live in. We will walk and live energized by such power. It was all a part of God’s plan to rescue us from living defeated lives and prevent us from leaving this world unprepared for eternity.