Thoughts on Easter Sunday

By | April 17, 2022
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Thoughts on Easter Sunday

It’s Easter Sunday. It’s a time of rejoicing and celebration for Christians around the world. It is a time of rebirth and time for a renewal of faith.

But I was thinking how much we all need a resurrection – a resurrection within each of us. Each morning when we wake we can choose how we will be on that day. In a sense, in a way,  it’s like our own daily resurrection. Our spirits can be lifted, our bodies and our faith renewed. We can choose to be the person we’ve always wanted to be, or we can continue being the person we are.

If we are very lucky we are both of those – the person we are is the person we have always wanted to be. But I believe that’s very rare. Most of us wish we were better people, more faithful, more compassionate, less judgmental, less confrontational, happier – more of some things and less of others.

I find myself judging others because of the way they look, how they live, what they have, what they don’t have, and what they have or have not done. But I have no right to do that. I have no right to judge anyone, no matter who they are, what they look like, how rich or poor, how they live, what they have, or what they’ve done. My resurrection comes every day I wake and I get to choose what kind of person I will be that day. Will I and do I want to be who I was yesterday? Or do I want to be a better person today than I was yesterday?

You’re probably thinking that I can change all I want, but everyone else will see and know me as I was yesterday. And I say: So what? What difference does it make what anyone else thinks? It makes no difference unless we let it make a difference. So tomorrow when we wake we can be resurrected – we can be the person we have always wanted to be, or we can take the easy way and be what we’ve always been. And blessed is the one who is both.

So, it’s Eastertime. And the people who have not seen the inside of a church in a year will put on their Sunday best and make an appearance in church and celebrate the Risen Christ. And tomorrow they will be the person they’ve always been. And I’m not judging, it’s just something I’ve observed over the years.

Jesus said that we should pray in private and not pray in public so we can be seen praying. That’s what he said. How many people go to church so they can say they go to church – so they can be seen in church?

Why is it we see hell clearer than we see heaven? Here’s what I mean: The world, no doubt, is full of evil. People killing people. People using people for their own gain. Jihadists blowing up airports and train stations – and skyscrapers. Rapists, murderers, marauders, cheaters, abusers – we all can see the worst of humanity more clearly than we can see the best in the world. The moms and dads and grandparents who love and are loved by their family. The children go off to school knowing they are loved. The heroes. The everyday heroes – the brother who gives a kidney to his sister so that she will live; the parents who protect their children, the mom who wakes up early every morning to fix her kids lunch to take to school. The dad who works two jobs to provide for his family.

We can see the hell in our world more clearly these days than the little pieces of heaven. Why do you think that is? Are we Christians because we say we are? Are we Christians because we show up in church each week and sing hymns and listen to our priests and pastors tell us what the Scriptures mean?

Do you know what I think? I think everyone Christian or not should read the words of Jesus. Read the lessons He thought. Read the parables and of His miracles. I think if we all did that, the world would be a better place.

I don’t proselytize. I don’t care much for proselytizers. Everyone should have the freedom and the right to believe or not believe as they choose. So I don’t write this to knock on your door and hand you a pamphlet telling you that you’re not going to heaven if you don’t believe as I do. No, that’s not what I’m going to do. I’m going to ask you to read the words of Jesus. His message is a message to which every one of us, Christian or not should aspire.

It’s Eastertime and the reason for the season is to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus and the rebirth of faith. Whether you believe or not, whether you call yourself a Christian or not, if we all lived by these words from the Man and the Teacher from Galilee, the world be a much better place.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

“Blessed are they who mourn,
for they shall be comforted.

“Blessed are the meek,
for they shall inherit the earth.

“Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they shall be satisfied.

“Blessed are the merciful,
for they shall obtain mercy.

“Blessed are the pure of heart,
for they shall see God.

“Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called children of God.

“Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven…”

“…You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for eye, and a tooth for a tooth. But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get?…

“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

” So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him…”

No matter who you are, what your religion, or what you believe, I hope these Words from the teachings of Jesus guide you today, tomorrow, and always.

If all of us lived by His words, the world would be a whole lot more like heaven, and a whole lot less like hell.

17 thoughts on “Thoughts on Easter Sunday

  1. Sandy

    Thank you. Happy Easter to you. What a wonderful write up you did here. Very encouraging.

    Reply
  2. Yvonne

    Have you ever thought about publishing your essays? Make them available in ebook form?
    You’re very good.

    Reply
  3. Jackie Keesee

    This was very well thought out. I too tend to judge by looks etc. When I wake up I need to be the best I can be for that day knowing I just have to do it for today I can choose to make that decision again tomorrow
    Jackie

    Reply
  4. Perry F. Townsend Sr.

    It is very refreshing and uplifting to read something like you just wrote on Resurrection. It makes me want to be a better person. I know am not the best me that I can be, but you just reminded me that I need to keep trying every day. Thanks for your thoughts on this.

    Reply
  5. Susan Foster

    This deeply thoughtful essay is what mmany people need to read. Do I have your permission to share on Facebook and via email to friends? God bless you.

    Reply
    1. infoave Post author

      Yes, you may share our essays with whomever you wish. Thanks.

      Reply
  6. Darlene Conrad

    Wonderful words, especially “If all of us lived by His words, the world would be a whole lot more like heaven, and a whole lot less like hell.”

    You are awesome. God bless you, family and friends

    Reply
  7. D

    Hello I found your blog quite interesting reading your writings you are not alone there is quite of few of us but they are not fully enlightened of Thier memory there is very little I don’t understand ……I can’t go into too much detail on here but we have purpose here and it is to restore the atonement of Jesus Christ and bring to pass mankind …..we spend our days observing others mistakes we are simply gaining knowledge on how to not make the same mistakes we must always serve and never be Rich in currency fame or power

    Reply
  8. D

    We require constant life changes …….our minds seek knowledge like none other man kind is destroying the earth building things in straight lines showing up to work at the same time everyday teaching us we need wheels to travel and wires to connect …..science is lies laws of nature

    The word government “Govern”

    Definition …….governor, in technology, device that automatically maintains the rotary speed of an engine or other prime mover within reasonably close limits regardless of the load. A typical governor regulates an engine’s speed by varying the rate at which fuel is furnished to it. Apply this to the human mind

    Reply
  9. Judy

    I too believe we would have a much better world if truly people would be devoted to reading God’s Word. It’s not just black ink on white people, it is truly the living word of our Savior who bled and died for our sins. The promise in His Holy Word is my hope and peace in this crazy upside down world. Thank you for sharing your heart, I am thankful for all who will stand up and be counted with those who actually BELIEVE HIS WORD!

    Reply
  10. Vicki Garrett

    This is a wonderful and beautiful essay TC! A few years ago (well many actually) I did turn my life around but still had to grow in faith and actions. About 5 years ago I felt blessed to know that not only I liked myself but had become the person I really wanted to be. Yes, I still have more growth to do but God willing He will guide me in the direction He wants for me and I do wake up each day to know that I’m on the right path and look forward to whatever is in store for me whether it is lessons to be learned, relishing God’s great wide world or simply just being in His presence and those He has put into my life as friends plus my family.

    Thank you TC and I trust you and your family had a wonderful Easter!! God bless you!

    Reply
  11. Rea

    TC that was one of the very best and truest essays I have ever read and what is so important is that it comes from the heart and it is definitely food for thought! True words were never spoken and.one can only hope that many people digest these words and then practice them. I hope you and your family had a wonderful Easter!

    Reply
  12. Bonnie

    What an awesome message. You did a super job in posting this. A very happy and blessed Easter to you kids. God’s blessings
    Bonnie

    Reply

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