The ultimate resurrection—Jesus rose from the dead! Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia!* Because He lives, I can face tomorrow!* Yes and Amen!*
With Jesus we can face anything. He died on a cross, carrying every evil scheme of the devil to defeat us. Jesus triumphed over sin, physical ailment, mental anguish, death, and even coronavirus. We too can conquer life’s miseries through Jesus our Savior. For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.* Through Scripture and song, we can shout for joy to a God who saves.
Experiencing a resurrection, revitalization, or revival of anything yields joy, jubilation, triumph. Renewed faith, revived flowers/plants, reconstructed churches/houses, restored souls, returned prodigals, resuscitated lives, rekindled relationships—sorrow usually precedes life’s refreshment and reawakening. God breathes new life into our situations when we draw close to Him, when we humble ourselves and pray.
I’ve prayed for my children since their birth. My prayers increased as they grew. Heart-felt prayers wrapped in tears poured from my lips when my daughter lost her way in life. I joined my prayers with other mournful mothers to set captives free. And we waited for God to work.
God answers our prayers in His way and in His time. Some remedies are instantaneous and others evolve—all are reasons to rejoice. He turns tears of sadness into rivers of joy.
I wept this holy week for me, my family, and this dying world. I pondered the pains my Savior endured for us all. And then I sobbed for joy over a Facebook post by my daughter. She has granted me permission to share her words, poignant and unedited. If you are suffering in any way, I pray you find comfort through her words of hope because of Jesus Christ.
There are only a few more weeks of Randy and I being a family of two (well 3 including Goose, our dog). Jackson Lee will be here in no time and our little family will grow a little more. To bring a child into this world during this time with Coronavirus has been overwhelming! The things we have looked forward to, planned for during our first pregnancy is not working out the way we wanted. It’s sad to think that our families and friends will not be able to meet our lil man for a while. It’s devastating us! But I can’t wait to tell our little fighter what was happening in our world when he made his appearance. I can’t wait to tell him that his Daddy, my sweet husband was/is working the front lines as a paramedic firefighter serving his community and world, risking his life. The stress I know my husband is under has been unimaginable. I see it on his face, I feel it in his touch, but without fail he does it for our family and those he is helping. He goes to work for days with little sleep and helps those in need. Then comes home to me hoping and praying that he wasn’t exposed so that he doesn’t expose anything to us. The idea that he might not be able to be in the delivery room for the birth of our first child has been piercing. He is my person, my quiet storm, my peace, the good good thing my Lord brought into my life. During this time it has been disheartening to think about the future and condition our world is in. There is so much division, loneliness, depression, heartache, evil, disease, etc. It can weigh heavily on us at times and it can seem so dark, but I am constantly reminded of the brightest thing in my life….that is my Heavenly Father! He calms the storm in my heart, floods my mind with peace, gives me incredible strength. This world has so many beautiful things that we don’t see sometimes because it’s clouded by darkness, but I promise you Jesus shines brighter! Our faith and prayer through God has and will carry us through this time and every time after that. We will get through this and anything with the Way Maker, Miracle Worker, Promise Keeper, Light in the darkness! This has been on my heart for a while now. Stay safe!
May you experience a resurrection of sorts as you draw close to our Savior Jesus Christ. He died for us all. May we live everyday for Him.
They will come and shout for joy on the heights of Zion;
they will be radiant with joy
because of the Lord’s goodness,
because of the grain, the new wine, the fresh oil,
and because of the young of the flocks and herds.
Their life will be like an irrigated garden,
and they will no longer grow weak from hunger.
Then the young woman will rejoice with dancing,
while young and old men rejoice together.
I will turn their mourning into joy,
give them consolation,
and bring happiness out of grief.
I will refresh the priests with an abundance,
and My people will be satisfied with My goodness.
This is the Lord’s declaration. Jeremiah 31:12-14 (HCSB)
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!
*footnotes
Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia! Hymn lyrics written by Charles Wesley
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow! Hymn lyrics written by Bill and Gloria Gaither
Yes and Amen! 2 Corinthians 1:20
For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16