Notes from Quarantine 4.12.20- Easter Sunday

There’s no doubt that this year looks different in church on Easter Sunday.

There’s also no doubt that the Resurrection is real. The Victory is Real.

It’s real in our living rooms, bedrooms, and kitchens- our offices, our backporch. 

Easter is confirmation that God is always doing a new thing- in our lives and our stories.

The days in between Good Friday and today are hard ones. They are ones where we live in our brokenness and accept that even in the silence and and sadness- Sunday has already come. 

Last week, I pulled out my paint and painted palms. I had just read all the gospel accounts of Palm Sunday. The day where Jesus was celebrated and praised as he went through the city. But it wasn’t this part of the story that stuck out to me. It was when Jesus told the disciples to go get the donkey and if anyone asks what they are doing- just tell them “The Lord needs it”. In every account, my eyes landed on these words. 

I placed the painting on my mantle and all week long my eyes  have landed on these words. I’ve just been praying- what is “it”… what is the it that you need?  I have had flashes of what I believe it might be but this morning when Pastor Steven Furtick was talking about the importance of Saturday and how we have to live out our Saturdays to fully know the beauty of Sunday (I’m paraphrasing)- I realized He needed my Saturdays. 

All the ugly thoughts, mean words, disappointments, hurts, shame, sadness, brokenness, bitterness, hopelessness, fear, pain, everything the enemy seeks to destroy us with- He needs that. 

And honestly, that terrifies me. 

But I also know, He is gentle and kind at heart. He walks with me and talks with me. He ministers to me – even when I don’t want to hear it or deal with it.

So if your Saturdays are sometimes scary- know that you’re not alone in that. But also know, He is near when it doesn’t feel like it. Nothing He allows to happen is without purpose. If you need a minute, He will give it to you. 

Jesus, thank you for whoever is reading this message right now- these words that you’ve allowed to be typed on the screen and published to the world. Use them, use us as your heart for us. Be a present reminder that all is not lost- in the midst of our Saturdays- our sadness- our pain- you are near- and gentle in heart. You are powerful and mighty because we know and we believe in the power in victory of the Cross because You Are Alive. We love you Jesus from our quarantined houses- be our protector, provision, and our hope today and everyday. Amen.