(As a former campus pastor, once or twice a year I will usually write a couple of thoughts about what I am thinking about in relation to the more celebrated parts of the Christian calendar. I am not naïve enough to think that my views are shared across the board by those who might come across this blog. However, I share these not to offend or alienate, but because these views comprise who I am as a person and, correspondingly, influence who I am as a friend and as a Realtor. I also share because I believe that, no matter what your personal views are at this time, the thoughts below can add value to your life.)
I have been thinking a lot these last couple of days about the trip my dad and I took to England the summer between my junior and senior years of college. We went to Wycliffe Hall, an Anglican Seminary that is part of Oxford University, for two weeks of classes with some of the forefront Christian thinkers/writers of our time. Among them was Eugene Peterson, author of the recent paraphrase of the Bible known as The Message.
In one of Peterson’s talks he highlighted how Easter is the center of the Christian faith, shifting the emphasis from the crucifixion to the resurrection. His point was that the Christian faith is really that of learning how to “practice resurrection” one step at a time. “Practice resurrection.” Ironically, this seemed to make more sense to me as a soon-to-be senior in college than it does to me now, a fact that is somewhat humbling and somewhat puzzling. “How do I practice resurrection in my life these days?” is kind of the latest question I am pondering. “What does practicing resurrection even mean in my life?”
Jesus’ dying makes sense; everybody dies. His resurrection changes everything. (Honestly, as the apostle Paul indicates in the Bible, if Jesus didn’t rise from the dead, Christians are to be pitied above all men, because their faith would then be meaningless and their hope would be futile.) Correspondingly, me living the life I live, having the problems I have, struggling with the things I struggle with makes sense; they are common experiences shared by many in one form or the other. Yet, still, God calls me to realize that, yes, Jesus’ resurrection really does change everything. And not only am I supposed to just realize this, but this calls me to act on it. And not only am I supposed to act on this, but I am supposed to realize that I am powerless to act on it by myself, and I am supposed to act on with the help, guidance, and power of Jesus Himself.
So, I guess this Easter season is one where I am challenged to think about how I can (not “should”; the Christian life is that of opportunity, not of burden) practice resurrection more in my life. How can I practice resurrection more in how I treat my wife? How can I practice resurrection more as a Realtor? How can I practice resurrection more in how I spend my time? How can I practice resurrection more in how I serve those around me? How can I practice resurrection more in simply how I appreciate life and God’s living presence that permeates it? And, through it all, how can I not only try to practice resurrection but, more importantly, allow Jesus to practice resurrection in and through my life by His power? I guess I’ll just take it one step at a time, eh?… :)
So, that’s that. Seriously, have a wonderful weekend, and may you be able to practice resurrection in your own life in the weeks, months, and years to come.
Peace,
Greg
