By Peggy Still—

In the town in which I live there is much renovation going on. A new transit system is being built, restoration of the old train depot is pending, and much is happening to our roads in preparation for all of this. The slowing traffic and detours cause impatience among commuters. A sign in one of the construction areas states, “Please excuse the inconvenience, renovations are in progress.” As I sat in my car waiting for the light to change I thought, aren’t we all a work in progress? Wouldn’t it be great to have a t-shirt with that phrase on it? With Easter just ahead this would be a good time to reflect on the renovations I need to make in my personal and spiritual life.

Many will attend Easter service this year with the preconceived idea of receiving great insight, wisdom and a complete renovation. They will assume that because of the resurrection, this one day when they walk out of the church they somehow become more religious and their circumstances miraculously changed. Most will leave disappointed, for the building of personal faith is a work in progress. Between the crucifixion and the resurrection, the followers of Jesus felt a great loss believing that He had been defeated by death. The heavy weight of Easter Saturday is a time of waiting that today puts us in touch with how the rest of the world lives, with half the message.

The power of the resurrection lies not in what God can do for us on a single morning. Neither does it lie in what we imagine we can do for others or for God. The resurrection experience happens when we cry out, “Lord, I can’t do anything without you; I can’t take it any longer!” The gained knowledge of total surrender at the foot of the cross is what brings victory over our circumstances. It is in that moment of complete surrender that we become Christ-liberated, Christ-healed, Christ-changed, and Christ-filled people.

On that first Easter morning so long ago, Jesus’ followers were not miraculously changed. What we learn from their experience is that acceptance of His power living through them lead to personal regeneration. A resurrection experience is not a passport to heaven but a power to change us now. It is a gift for the present. The true message of Easter is one of perpetual renewal in Christ. In Him we are accepted, loved, forgiven, reconciled, and yes, still a renovation in progress.

 

 

 

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Peggy2Peggy is embarking on a new career in mid-life. A featured speaker for women’s groups and retreats, she is the author of hundred of devotionals and articles in a variety of areas of interest to women. Married to Mark for 36 years, they have one daughter and raised two foster children. Peggy and Mark make their home in southern California.

7 Comments

  1. 3-25-2015

    Thank you Peggy for this beautiful reminder! Easter Morning is truly a gift for the present. Praise the Lord! He is risen!

  2. 3-25-2015

    “It is in that moment of complete surrender that we become Christ-liberated, Christ-healed, Christ-changed, and Christ-filled people.”
    AMEN, GIRL, AMEN!!!!!

  3. 3-25-2015

    Peggy, thank you for reminding us of the power of the resurrection to transform lives. And that it’s not a one-time thing, but a progress. Not so much Easter “day” as it is Easter “living.” Yes!

  4. 3-25-2015

    Thank you for your insights into Easter. I often struggle with the “religious” holidays for just what you clearly expressed. It is not the day, or even 1 or 2 days, it is a lifetime of progress & change. And when you’ve finally hit that “moment of surrender” it all makes sense and there’s no going back.

  5. 3-25-2015

    Thank you ladies! It’s humbling to know this struck a chord in each of you.

  6. 3-25-2015

    Thank you for the reminder that growth is a process, despite our “microwave” culture!

  7. 3-27-2015

    “The heavy weight of Easter Saturday is a time of waiting that today puts us in touch with how the rest of the world lives, with half the message.” Thank you Peggy for naming the weight of this season. I needed those words.

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