CHRIST HAS RISEN FROM THE DEAD

Today is a day of praise because Christ has risen from the dead. We have already begun our celebration and today we will gather with our family, and church to rejoice.

One of the questions I had since my youth, was how can you celebrate when your not happy. When your life is filled with suffering? How do you go through the motions knowing that there seems to be no visible change for you personally. Maybe someday the answer would come. But, for many years it was Why? The victory is won, so many do not believe because there seems to be no victory for them, yet. (One of my grandsons favorite words, yet). Or another way to say it in modern terms "What's in it for me?" You cannot feel the joy in that state. Yet, this is not about feeling. This is about fact. What does circumstance or emotion have to do with it? Can your feelings alter the truth? Just as Pilot says, "What is Truth?" The truth is that faith is required to understand the whole picture. This is history, and it did happen. No one else will ever be required to accomplish what Jesus did for us. It is finished. It is the greatest event that ever was or will be, period.

We are living in a time of uneasiness and fear. If you are sick, or if your circumstances are such that all you see is your own pain, then pray to God and He will show you someone else's suffering. It may be because of your actions or in actions. Provisions have made for wholeness through confession and through prayer and attentiveness, and sometimes, bitter tears.

The truth is that God manifests Himself in others to allow you to see Him through "circumstances." He allows pain and suffering for your own growth and benefit. No one would die on a cross, unless they loved you. He told his disciples to "observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age." God sees and allows your struggles sometimes to uplift and help others, for their spiritual growth or need. God will strengthen all of us in our journey if we ask Him to help us carry our cross. Your situation may not change, neither did His. But He overcame the world, and carried His cross, choosing it, joyfully, for us.

This knowledge, irregardless of present circumstances, should bring about a peace that passes all understanding in an imperfect world. Rise above it! That peace is the message of the Risen Christ's Victory that must begin with you. It is the reality that you can cling to, hope for, and believe in. It will cost you nothing, yet, you will gain everything, forever.

If you attended the services clearly you heard the message, not as the world gives it, or understands it. If no matter what, you have love for one another and that love were spread around, just think of how beautiful and peaceful His kingdom would be here on earth.

Yes, peace begins with you. Do you have the peace within you of the Risen Christ? Has he Risen in your heart, yet?

All references were taken from the Holy Week and Easter Orthodox Service Book.