The Resurrected Life
The sun rises on a new day. A day of rejoicing. I’m excited to leave the cross, even though I know it comes with us. Though it doesn’t define who we are, it shapes our every day. For the crucified Jesus doesn’t call us to a moment of dying, but a life of surrender. Dying to anything that doesn’t lead us into righteousness. Anything that doesn’t glorify God. When we take up our cross and follow Jesus – I mean when we really follow Jesus – we will experience death. Death of expectations. Of social habits. Big girl dreams. Cultural practices. Selfish desires. Practical decisions. Responsible choices.
Death is certain, because we can’t follow Jesus where he’s going, while traveling the same path we’ve been walking.
And it’s only in experiencing death that our eyes will be opened to a resurrecting God. A God who is all about life, not death. And this resurrecting God intends life for all creation. Forever. And it begins now.
When we say no to things of the world, when we deny selfish desires and receive dying as a way of living, God will resurrect in and round us new life. A life worth living. A life that produces fruit. A life that gives life to others. A life that glorifies him.
In my resurrected life there are colored children, streets of orange, and a house that is not my own. There is black and white. There is quiet. There are fewer boundaries and extra chairs around my table. There are children sleeping on the floors and guests in their beds. There are hard good byes and sweet welcomes. There is greater intimacy. There is constant change and adapting. There are always new possibilities.
In my resurrected life I recognize my sin, my need for a Savior. I like who I am, who God is shaping me to be. I have found victory over insecurity. I am more content with what I have, but restless for more Jesus. In my resurrected life there is more spirit and less flesh. More trust, less fear. More others, less me. There is purpose in my trials and hope in uncertainty.
In my resurrected life I am made new. I am clean. I am forgiven. I am healed. I am whole.
My resurrected life isn’t merely hope for heaven. It’s redemptive life on earth. Right now!
The resurrected Jesus is reason to rejoice! The empty grave births new life for all people.
What does your resurrected life look like?