Easter
UNDISTRACTED
by Lauren Edmonds
What a strange Easter. It’s hard not to dwell on my disappointment at not celebrating with all of you at church, no family dinners, no “unnecessary” outings. But counting my losses, I started busying myself with new traditions and ideas to compensate and ensure that Easter was still nostalgic and anticipated. I thought maybe by my activities and recipes and readings I could make my heart and those of my family understand the glory of Jesus’ resurrection.
Even the sparse grocery store shelves, though, remind me that through this turn of events much of the excess has been trimmed away and what I’m left with is quiet, time, and space. What a humbling reminder of the lifestyle and pace that Jesus modeled and of what He desires from us: our heart, our attention, and our worship. He commends Mary who sat at His feet, undistracted. “But Martha was distracted with much serving….But the Lord answered her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her’” (Luke 10:40-42).
Would you consider setting aside whatever is distracting you today and pausing to read the Easter story (Luke 22-24)? Then, as we remember and marvel again at Jesus’ victory, may we be moved to celebrate and commemorate with whatever food is on our table and whoever sits around it. May God help our hearts learn both celebration and stillness. May what feels like a loss or a disappointment allow us to give our attention and affection to our King who is ALIVE.
His story is our story (Romans 6:4-11). His life is our life (1 Corinthians 15:20-23, Ephesians 2:4-7). His victory is our victory (1 Corinthians 15:55-57). His resurrection confirms for us that sickness and sin and grief and loneliness and even death are not the end of the story. So we grieve the bitter sting that sin has left on the world and we grieve what it cost Christ, but we long and anticipate even more for our risen King to return!
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice…(1 Peter 1:3–9).
LINKS
In each newsletter, we try to include links to articles or books or music that might be of interest or help on various topics. Enjoy!
I Didn’t Know I Loved You Like This @Glenna Marshall—yes!
I Love You From Over Here @the corner shelf—simple acts of love.
We’re All Children Now @The Gospel Coalition—we’re always children. So good.
Made Alive—a playlist for the children of God.
(Resources are curated but may not always reflect the views of New Life Church.)