Life is not always wonderful; at times, it can be awful.  And for some of us, life can be awful for a long time.  In my line of work, I see and hear pain and discomfort a lot; and sometimes right in the middle of suffering, they will ask me, “But after I have gone through this awful time, God will give me a break so I can enjoy life again, right?”  Well, sadly I must answer, “Not necessarily.”  There are times when God calls us to a life of burden, not joy.  That will be the time in which our joy will come not from “life is good,” but rather, “God is good.”  

Be that as it may, there is one thing that we should always keep in mind: We shall have a break and be able to enjoy life again, maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but someday and somewhere in the Kingdom of Heaven.  Simply put, as Christians we have no room for pessimism and despair; there is always room for optimism and hope because of the promise of eternal life God has assured us.  The day of Jesus’ resurrection will one day be ours, for we, too, will be raised to life and be given a new life of glory.  Easter gives us hope.

Today Easter is celebrated by millions of people but on the first day of Easter, there were only six who came to the tomb and found it empty: Peter, John, Salome, Joanna, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James.  And out of the six, only one received the honor of meeting and talking with the resurrected Jesus: Mary Magdalene—a nobody, once under the control of seven demons.  The first greatest news—Jesus’ birth—was told to a group of shepherds; the second greatest news—Jesus’ resurrection—was told to Mary Magdalene.  

Not a very impressive group, but that’s the choice that God made to have them come and celebrate the two most important days of His life on earth: Birthday and Resurrection.  And He’s chosen us, too. 

Pastor Paul