Easter + 7: Where Is Our Focus?

Seven days ago, the world-wide Christina community gathered to celebrate the Feast of Feasts - the resurrection of Jesus, commonly called Easter. Christians of every stripe sang praises to God for Jesus' victory over death and for opening the gates to heaven to all who call on Him as Lord and Savior. The day was a glorious day. Even some of the media outlets reminded viewers of the special day. That, in and of itself, could be described as a miracle.

Seven days has passed since Easter and we should ask ourselves the question, "where is our focus?" Are we still focused on the great event of the resurrection? Are our eyes still focused on the empty tomb and the various eye-witness accounts that reported the news of Jesus' resurrection? Is the joy of the Easter day still fresh in our hearts and clearly in our field of vision?

Or has Easter moved to the rear-view mirror and become simply another day that, while in the moment was great, is now only another day gone by? Has the joy of Easter been replaced by the woes of life and the worldly anxieties we daily face? Have we once again retreated into our lives so much that we miss the cosmic reminders of new life? Have we put away the leaven of malice and wickedness, of anger and resentment, of impatience and self-centeredness? Have we put on Christ and kept Him on? Have we taken in the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth, of joy and kindness, of honesty and grace, of compassion and mercy, of love and forgiveness?

Spring is the season of new life. Out of the death of winter comes new life. All around us we see earthly reminders of God's great work. God constantly uses His creation to remind us of His truths and especially important is the truth of the resurrection of Jesus. Out of His death came our new and eternal life. In and through God's grace, we, as Christians, have hope and we live a life of hope.

Let us daily put on Christ that we may daily be reminded that indeed we are dead unto sin and alive unto God through Jesus Christ. Let us daily shout the Easter acclamation:

Alleluia, Christ is risen!
Indeed, He is risen! Alleluia.