The Nearness of Life

Sometimes, I admit, God seems like a bit of a last resort. He’s the being people turn to when their lives are falling apart. If they’re close to death, whether it’s personal death or the loss or near-loss of someone close, people who have never uttered a prayer are suddenly on their knees. When people who never step inside the doors of a church get hurt or have their heart broken, they pray for healing and wholeness. Millions of non-church goers were in church today, celebrating the Christian holiday essential to our faith.

I am sure many churches presented the gospel message, with the hope lives would be changed and given to Jesus Christ. I am sure many pastors asked people where they would go if they died tonight (why is it always “tonight?”), hoping to help them answer that question.

Sometimes it can seem like God is just something some turn to only to escape hell. Often times, that story has been mine. I wanted to spend eternity in heaven with God, but living for Him now? Letting Him pervade me and consume me in this world? That I wasn’t willing to do.

As I think about Christ’s resurrection, I think that eternity is a small part of the picture. Christ’s mission here was not to only save His Bride from hell, but to save us now. He came so that we might know life today. Renewal does not begin with death. Communion with God does not begin once our lives here are done and over. The life Christ offers He offers today, now, this second, this moment. Redemption is within reach.

Sometimes, I admit, God is my last resort. I am willing to accept His salvation, but I hesitate to accept His wisdom and guidance, strength and courage. It is easy to ignore God sometimes.

As yet another Easter fades into memory, I hope to carry this lesson with me: that new life, redemption, begins anytime we choose to accept grace. New life does not come simply with our physical death; it comes whenever we choose to let Christ make us new.

I wish all who read these words a wonderful, redemption-filled Easter.

By His wounds we are healed.

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