MIA on Easter Sunday
Two years ago on Easter Sunday, I sat by a dear friend's side in a hospital ER who I guess you could say, was at the bottom of the pit. This friend had been in a non-stop battle with alcoholism for more than two decades and the addiction was winning. My friend was at risk of losing it all: Family, job, dignity -- and quite possibly, his/her very life. My friend apologized over and over again on that day for being the cause of my missing the Easter Sunday services at my church. I assured my friend that I was exactly where I needed to be.
Since becoming a Christian back in 1985, that Sunday two years ago marks the only Easter Sunday where I have missed the services at my church. And it is the Easter Sunday I will forever remember as the most meaningful to date. I got to pray with my friend and talk about the significance of Jesus' death on the cross and His resurrection from the grave. This Easter, marks my friend's two year anniversary of sobriety. God has restored my friend's job, family, and dignity. I have no doubts that God literally rescued my friend from death's doorstep two years ago on Easter Sunday.
And that is what I will be thinking about this Sunday when I celebrate a risen Savior. His resurrection power that represents new life and new beginnings. The same resurrection power that melted this agnostic's heart of stone back in 1985 and gave me new life and a new beginning.
Lord, now indeed I find
Thy power and Thine alone,
Can change the leper’s spots
And melt the heart of stone.
Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.
O Praise the one who paid my debt
And raised this life up from the dead!
I know there are many who read this blog who have perhaps, been disillusioned by Christianity or for that matter, wounded by those who call themselves "Christians." Can I encourage you to put all that aside and look instead, to Jesus and Jesus alone. If you don't have a church that you call home, can I be so bold as to encourage you to find a place to worship this Sunday? Just give Him a chance to show you His love and resurrection power. I gave Him a chance back in 1985...and my life has never been the same.
8 comments:
Thanks for being His hands and feet!
Amen.
Love that song and Kristian Stanfill's version of it. (I am blessed to hear him sing it live at our Church.)
So many times people get jaded by "Church" and the do's and don'ts. It's not about religion, it's about a relationship with Jesus Christ. That's it.
God bless you all this Easter.
Praise God for your friends sobriety. And thank you for giving us a real picture of authentic Christianity. And not just in this post.
What a sweet story. And, ditto Lauren's comment!
LOVE, LOVE, that song. I JAM to that thing in my car - max volume, hands raised (well one of them), and hitting the dashboard! :)
Kristian led worship for the college ministry I was a part of at Georgia Tech when I was there. That man loves Jesus and serves him in the most humble way you could imagine amongst a platform of musicians. And this song makes me want to break out into an embarrassing David dance of praise.
Bless y'alls Easter. I give Him thanks for His death and resurrection, that brought us life.
What a great testimony!
I know it meant so much for you to be there with your friend that day. Praise God for her two years of sobriety.
Thank you for sharing.
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