Death and Resurrection

10 I want to know Christ[a] and the power of his resurrection and the sharing of his sufferings by becoming like him in his death - Philippians 3:10

Death and resurrection.  It's what the Lent and Easter season is all about. Really, it is what life itself is about.  Death and resurrection is all around us: winter to spring; caterpillar to butterfly; seed to flower. We even find the death and resurrection theme in our life experiences: our empty nests often leads to grandchildren; graduation can lead to an exciting career. Brene  Brown describes the process of forgiveness as a death of an old relationship and the resurrection of a new one.

In any instance of death and resurrection that we can come up with, one thing is true.  The resurrected thing is always quite different—and usually better—than the thing that died. I can't help but think of a cartoon I once saw that showed a very old man and woman up in heaven enjoying all the wonders that heaven offers.  The man said to the woman, “See, Harriet, if you weren't so insistent about watching our cholesterol, carbs and fat, we could have been here years ago!” And if I knew how great grandkids were, I would have had a few more children!

However, there is a lot to be said for the pre-resurrection stage of things as well.  I love caterpillars.  I love to watch it snow in winter.  I love that stage in a new relationship where the other person seems perfect. And I loved being a mom.

We need not rush the resurrections in our lives.  There is a lot for us to learn beforehand, and God has given us much to enjoy in those experiences.  But we also need not fear the future! God promises greater and better.  As we soak up the death and dying experiences of Lent, we always hold the sure and certain hope Easter resurrection.

Holy God,
Help us to see the joy and beauty of every pre-resurrection experience and not fear what is to come.  Amen.