THE REALITY OF EASTER

As we continue to celebrate Easter Season it is a good time to look at what the reality of Easter is. As we all know from our Sunday School days, it is the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and it is where he took away our sins and gave us a new relationship with God one that opens us to all the promises in the Bible and to everlasting life. It is this reality that changes everything for us. Heaven is not just a prize at the end of our lives, but it is a life-long relationship that we have been given by God. It is a new way of living. A way of life that allows us to treat everyone with love and respect. To treat others as a child of God who deserves our love and attention.

What an awesome gift our faith is. It calls us to live not in this world but to make our heavenly world a reality here and now. To show others the reality of God’s presence in our world today. To be able to be there when someone is hurting and needs help. To be there when someone needs us to pray for them and we take the time to pray. It is going the extra mile with someone who is in need. Our faith only makes sense when we are using it to make the world a better place. Yes, I believe that it is our Easter faith that is going to help change the world. What an awesome thing to think about. God the creator of the universe has called us to live out the faith and love that God wants to share with the world. What a calling it is to participate with God in doing the work of saving everyone. This means that the way that we treat our neighbor and the way that we talk to and about others really matters. The way that I am an example of what I believe and the way that I tell my story to others is the way that I grow in my relationship with God.

We are going through a really rough time right now with the virus, the social upheaval and all the other stuff that is going on both in our personal lives and our community and nation. It is more important now than ever that we really live into our baptismal promises and share the gifts that God has given to us. To be good stewards of these gifts and what we are called to do with them.

May this Easter Season be different than all of the ones before it. May we live through these changes around us and may we help to make the world a better place by our story and the way that we share it with others.
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May The Lord Bless and Keep You,
Rev. Stephen W. Barch