So it comes down to this. The resurrection is at hand. The tomb’s stone is on the move.
I don’t know what kind of week this has been. It was intense, but at times for the wrong reasons. It was faithful, at least when I was focused. It was satisfying, particularly when I was in worship.
But there was always some task to complete, some appointment to keep, some schedule to uphold, some worship to engage in. There was always something.
Perhaps that’s part of the bargain for people deeply connected to a congregation’s ministry – you may have felt a similar pressure as the week’s faith journey unfolded for you – but I wish there was a better way.
Part of it is the concentration of events. Last Sunday’s palms triggered a spiritual avalanche. If Jesus had distributed the events that led him to the cross across a span of several months, we could more pleasingly pace our efforts.
Or even if there were only a bit more separation between events. For example, we could celebrate Easter sunrise on the Sunday in October when we move the clocks back an hour; that would be quite convenient. And who says Maundy Thursday must occur on a Thursday? Why not place it at the end of a regular Sunday morning worship? More people would participate. Churches would likely save on electric bills in that they wouldn’t be turning on lights for an otherwise inactive weekday evening.
I have lots of time, energy, and exhaustion saving ideas, if only the now-raised Jesus will listen to them. Chances are, however, he will repeat his teaching regarding people who try to save their lives losing them, and those who lose their lives for his sake (and apparently not their own sakes) saving them. More to the point of this weekend, Jesus will also kindly, lovingly ask me who is Lord. And then I will shut up... and worship.
Praise God! Glory be to God! Jesus is our risen Lord, and because of that, this has truly been a holy week.
A blessed encounter with the risen one to you and yours.
Pray with me:
You have saved me, God. Thank you. I was lost. I was alone. I was undeserving. I was on the handle end of the hammer that drove the nails into his hands. Yet, you saved me. As Jesus rises to new life, take me with him. Through him, draw me deeper and closer to you. In the name of the risen one, Amen.
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Bill, I so identify with your experience. This Holy Week was more "filled" then usual - the "tasks" of ministry were all things I wanted to do, chose to do, and felt privilege to do - but it was not a week that could be "paced" - it was a week to be lived fully and by Sunday afternoon I was exhausted - I am used to a nap on Easter but this Easter I slept for four hours that afternoon. I will reference only a few highlights - 5 by pass suregery for a member 3 hrs away - surgery went well - the night prior I attended to our normal Wed. night activities plus an extra rehearsal for Maundy Thurs - 5:30 p.m to 9 p.m. - then drove to Kansas City arriving at my Mother's about midnight - got up at 5:50 a.m. to get to the hospital about 7 - stayed with the family all morning - felt blessed that I got to be there with them - the one who received the operation - 49 years old. Prayer Vigil included the time I had chosen - 10:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Sat. night AND the hour from 2 a.m. to 3 a.m. that no one had signed up for - my youngest daughter initiated going with me both times - WOW. Easter morning began at 5:50 a.m. and went non stop till noon. What was my experience from all this activity - most of it was meaningful to me - life sustaining - activity that I feel privileged to participate in - activity that gave me hope - I can not imagine not having done what I got to do - some how in God's miraculous way - the serving of others ended up blessing me - my exhaustion was a good exhaustion!
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