Easter for a Day or Every Day?

Early this morning, I asked for God’s forgiveness for being so caught up in sights, sounds, eating like there is no tomorrow and so much joy in family togetherness here in Cabo. After all, this is the season of Lent when we hold back from over-indulging and we push the “pause-button” on entertainment for the senses and truly go inward to a place of clean up and clean out. Lent is a time of reflection for Christians when we replicate Christ’s sacrifice and withdraw into the desert for 40 days. Lent is marked by fasting, both from food and festivities. Yikes! Fasting has certainly not been my mindset this week.

But, as I type this blog in the wee hours of this morning, maybe my mindset was right on with God. I have been present in the moment, worshipping, loving and praising Jesus for His sacrifice and His unfailing love right here in the middle of God’s creation. In fact, when we were deep sea fishing, I sat at the back of the boat and watched the crew masterfully put out the lines with 12” fish to attract the marlin. Immediately, I thought about Peter, James and John who masterfully put out their nets and toiled all night. For those three disciples and for us on this huge boat – we caught nothing. What? How can that be? For them and us – maybe it was more about the “being” with the Lord in creation than catching the whopper load or the whopper fish. Were they disappointed? Yes. Did Jesus help them get a boatload? Oh yes He did. Were we disappointed? Slightly. The disciples were fishing for their living — we were fishing for pleasure. But, all the while, we were sharing in Christ’s abundant life, because God doesn’t just call us to “manage” our relationship with Him, He provides opportunities to shine His light through everything. (Matthew 5:16) And, in the mix – He delights us with even more of His creation — the many whales, dolphins AND seals jumping out of the water and into our boat!

Here are a few ways I have purposed to come away with Him to secret places, even desert places (where there are no fish) to praise and worship my Lord in the midst of lots of activity and for all of us even in times of disappointment, stress, weakness or even pain:

1. Recite Scripture. Even in our busiest or most painful moments, we can purpose to control our thoughts. So why not fill the vacant seconds with Scripture about our risen Lord? Luke 24: 5-6 says: “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; He has risen!” 1 Peter 1:3 states: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy, He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” Both are great verses to keep in mind throughout this season leading to Resurrection Sunday.
2. Pray. Right where we are – at work or play, we can breathe in God’s faithfulness and goodness. Just the simple act of finding a quiet place to spend a few moments with Jesus can refocus our thoughts and get us back on track. I’ve done that many times as I meander off to read my devotional booklet or just sit and meditate and have a little talk with Jesus – which seems to always make things right!
3. Share the Love. 1 John 3:15:16 states: “By this we know love, that He laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for others.” Maybe “the desert place” of Lent is more about extending graces to someone in our family or a waiter or a server with a great tip that says “I care about you!” We can let the love of Jesus shine through us to others in the desert places.

All in all, isn’t this season about focusing on the celebration of our risen King and to glorify Him in all our ways as we live, move, and breathe in Him – not just during the season of Lent and Easter – but 24/7 every day of the year?