Easter Thoughts

If something happens every year, shouldn’t it become commonplace after a while? Easter appears on the calendar during the spring of every year, and the date marches closer as the weeks of a new year roll on. Nobody gets too excited about Easter when they see the harmless date on the calendar weeks or month in advance, and it almost hides among the many other activities that greet us during the spring. Even preachers are tempted to see Easter as another annual event, having become too familiar with it as just another special emphasis on an all-too-crowded church calendar. But Easter is different—Easter has a surprise. Although it does not demand weeks of anticipation and 6 weeks of celebration (like its cousin “Christmas”), Easter never disappoints. When the unassuming day finally arrives, it is always filled with excitement, celebration, and God’s blessings. We prepare for Christmas months in advance, and we begin celebrating the Christmas “season” weeks ahead of time. And when Christmas Day finally arrives, it sometimes is anti-climatic. After all, the celebrations, parties, special events, etc. have been occurring for so long, the arrival of Christmas Day is almost a relief to acknowledge that it is now all over. But Easter is not that way. It quietly arrives—without much advanced notice and warning—but the day never disappoints. It is a day filled with God’s wonder. A day of celebration and amazement. A day when God reminds us that He alone is God.

Easter at FBC Statesboro was a great day, and it was a reminder of the glory and wonder of God. I was fighting a lot of sinus problems, congesting, etc., but God gave me the ability to preach through two messages. It was exciting to see all of our worship services and Sunday School classes filled with record numbers because it reminded us that Easter is a special day. It is a day we acknowledge the power of God over the grave. A day to look back at Christ and look forward to heaven. A day to gather with loved ones who represent God’s blessing in our lives. A day to worship. A day to celebrate. A day to praise. Easter may not be a season, but it certainly is a great day.