ARE WE READY TO BE POST-EASTER PEOPLE?

Last Sunday before the service began, I was standing next to one of our college students in attendance as we both looked out at the gathering congregation. Folks were slowly trickling in, almost shuffling their feet it seemed. Even the children seemed a bit lethargic - maybe a full week of Easter candy sugar overload had finally caught up with them. The crowd was smaller in size, too, than the previous standing-room-only Easter service. This was clearly an “I need another cup of coffee” kind of morning. Breaking the silence, the college student said rather matter-of-factly, “Ahhh, the post-Easter hangover!” It took me just a moment to put this in context before I nodded my head slowly and simply responded, “Indeed.” I would not have thought to put it that way, but he captured exactly what we were all feeling.

You see, for me, Easter has always been the highlight of the year. The story of Jesus’ death and resurrection has captivated me since I was a small boy. I heard the story so powerfully at Camp Indi-Co-So where for the first time I felt a living and personal connection with Christ as my savior. The build-up of Lent, the energy of the Easter Sunday crowd, the pageantry of the service, and the pure beauty and inspiration of the story has always made Easter an emotional highpoint for me. Then, there’s Easter brunch, sometimes extended family in town, and of course Easter egg hunts and Easter candy. But, then….what’s next? What is post-Easter all about, and how can it not be a letdown?

In a post-game interview after one of IU’s NCAA tournament wins this year, Coach Crean said something to the effect of “God gives us the talent, skill and opportunity, but it’s up to us to do the hard work.” That stuck with me, and I’ve thought about what he said ever since. I think Easter is God giving us endless opportunity through His promise of unconditional love. But, I think post-Easter is when it’s up to us to do the hard work of fulfilling that incredible promise and finding transformation in our lives through Him and through Jesus Christ. That’s not a hangover, but the most rewarding and exciting challenge we could ever accept.

Are we ready for the hard work of being post-Easter people?

This Sunday we look at what 1^st John 3:1-7 has to say about God’s amazing promise of lifelong transformation.  “Change Order” is the title of the message.


-Jonathan D. Purvis