Jesus may feel absent in our lives at times, but just as the resurrection shows us, He is there. S.L. shares.
“They asked her, ‘Woman, why are you crying?’ ‘They have taken my Lord away,’ she said, ‘and I don’t know where they have put Him?’ At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus” (John 20:13-14).
I’ve always loved that I was born on Easter. It has such significance for me because it is the celebration of what is most significant thing in my life. It actually is my life. Without Christ’s death and resurrection, I would be nothing without His grace.
I haven’t always felt like this though. When I was first diagnosed with fibromyalgia at 18, my life felt a lot more “pick up your cross” than “new life.” I spent a lot of time crying over what I had lost. I know this is typical of the grieving process after a chronic diagnosis, but still . . . I was having a hard time putting my faith in God.
Ironically, these are the times when we don’t really see Jesus. We can be so lost in our grief that we don’t notice all that He is doing–all the beautiful, glorious, amazing things. No one else has the power to transform us, to save us, to give us hope and joy.
Like Mary in the garden before she recognized Jesus, it is easy for us to feel lost and alone. But with Christ, we have every reason to be joyful because He sacrificed Himself to offer us grace. All suffering will end thanks to His gift of life, if we choose to follow.
Even when we don’t see Christ, He is there working His plan. Imagine the fear and uncertainty the disciples had while Christ was in the grave! Now, it can nearly seem funny since we know the incredible outcome. Likewise, Easter reminds me that God is worthy of my faith even when it seems hopeless because He is Hope Himself.
There is so much more joy in celebrating my spiritual birthday on Easter. No matter what our physical state, let’s celebrate!
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank You so much for sending Jesus to die for our sins and paying the price so that we might be forgiven. You are the Giver of Life and Sustainer. Help us to remember You work on the cross and to help us celebrate joyfully all year long. Amen.
About the author:
S.L. Payne lives in North Carolina with her husband, three biological sons and foster daughter. She has had fibromyalgia since she was a little girl, but it thankful for God’s faithfulness. She loves writing, photography and laughing with her family. Her blog is The Proverbs 31 Project at adventuresofaneverydaygirl.blogspot.com where she hopes she can encourage others.
How has Christ’s death and resurrection impacted you? Have you chosen to follow Him and celebrate joyfully?
I grew up listening to the Gaithers and the song “Because He Lives” is still one of my mom’s favorites–which means it always holds a special place in my heart and is my favorite “Easter” song. When my son was a baby it was the lullaby I sang to him at 3 AM and it is still the song that comes to my mind when I need some hope to cling to. I hope this video blesses you. The beginning may seem a bit old school, but stick with it as it builds and I am sure you will find hope through the music and the message. Because He lives we can face tomorrow! Happy Easter! -Lisa
Great Easter Sunday devotional S.L. Thanks! 🙂
This really jumped out at me in relation to the verse & what you had to say: “Ironically, these are the times when we don’t really see Jesus. We can be so lost in our grief that we don’t notice all that He is doing–all the beautiful, glorious, amazing things.” YES!!! How often do I miss seeing Jesus ‘cos I’m so focused on my own grief, pain etc. Sooooo true.
What a joy Easter Sunday is & all that it reminds me of. I really need to have that Easter Sunday thankfulness all year around!
Happy Birthday S.L….. couldn’t work out if it’s your biological birthday or spiritual birthday, but sending congrats either way. It’s my hubby’s 38th spiritual birthday today! God bless. Sending gentle hugs to you & your family. LOTSoluv Kerryn ♥
Thank you so much, Kerryn! I totally agree about needing to have Easter thankfulness all the time- I actually wrote a post on just that and living in grace that is going up tomorrow on my blog 🙂 I’ve been feeling convicted over that too! It is easy to celebrate one day and go on with life the next, but the implications of Easter are for everyday.
Thanks too for the birthday wishes! My birthday is actually early April since Easter moves around, but my family always connected it with Easter and so I almost always get a happy birthday or something on Easter 🙂 I was unfortunately too little when I accepted Christ to remember what day it was so I just kind of claimed Easter for it too! Tell your hubby happy spiritual birthday from me too! That is so wonderful- the best kind of birthday!
Hugs to you too, Kerryn!
-S.L.
S.L. – I could relate to you message a lot.
,
There are times, in my pain that I long to feel Jesus presence.
I am aware He is with me – within me and understanding my feelings.
Though we may feel a bit lost or out of touch in the way we each would like to experience Him – the GREATEST blessing it that He never once has his eyes off of us or his Presence away from us.
Because of Easter – because of that depth of his love and sacrifice, we rejoice!
Thanks for these reminders on this special day!
Love, Lynn
Thank you, Lynn! I think the amazing thing often about times when we don’t see Him is that later, it becomes obvious what His plans were and it is far greater than we ever could have imagined. We can definitely rejoice in Him for we can always trust that He loves us! Happy Easter, Lynn!
-S.L.
Yes, S.L.
So very true.
It is our faith that He longs for us to hang onto “without seeing/feeling” and yet the faith comes from Him, also. He knows when the time is right to step in with some “sight”.
Thanks S.L. I went to your blog & read the “Grace Versus Guilt” post you’re speaking of. Spot on!!! 🙂
Hubby’s spiritual birthday wasn’t actually yesterday either, but it was an Easter Sunday, so that is near enough for us.
Happy After Easter! LOTSoluv Kerryn
Hello S.L., I don’t think we’ve met yet. I’m fairly new around here. I just wanted to tell you I have enjoyed your devotions as well as checking out your blog. You have a gift and it is fun to read your stories and devotions. This Easter devotion resonated with me so much as it does with all of us. I was just recently telling my pastor that sometimes I can feel God with me and other times (mostly when the pain is worse) I’m sitting there crying out to him and not feeling His presence at all. Just as Kerryn said, the part where you said, “We can be so lost in our grief…” just explains it so well. And where you said you spent a lot of time in the beginning of your diagnosis crying over what you’ve lost, I could relate so much because my pain started 2 years ago right in the midst of a very active, busy, healthy, pain free lifestyle…and it stopped me with a jolt and oh how I grieved, the longer it stayed, the more I grieved and feared. I am actually getting better with that just recently and looking for what God wants to do with me now, but in the beginning, it was like torture. Thank you for sharing your struggles, S.L. I just love that people here understand so well. Blessings, Tabitha
Thank you so much, Tabitha! I’m so glad that my story helped and I know that God definitely has plans for you! How hard to go from such an active lifestyle to a difficult diagnosis; it is such a loss and I’m so sorry it has been so hard for the past 2 years. I’ll be praying that you keep getting better! I am so glad that you found this community here at Rest Ministries; everyone understands and desires to support each other and encourage each other in Christ. It has been such a blessing for me and I hope it will continue to be for you as well. It is funny that God has used my illness to change my path and He has used it entirely for His glory and while it took a while for me to realize that, I dawned on me that all the time I spent feeling alone and lost while I grieved, He was right there the whole time molding me into something better than I could have planned for myself 🙂 He doesn’t waste anything. Thank you for sharing your story too and I’m so glad that my writing has encouraged you- it is all God, He just gives me the words and the stories so I can’t really take the credit 🙂 He’s the real great Encourager!
-S.L.