A Season of Hope ~ Preparing Our Hearts for Easter
Psalm 16:5
“You, LORD, are all I have, and you give me all I need; my future is in your hands.”
Romans 8:28
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
The pandemic we experienced had tangible and intangible effects on many of us with some losing friends, loved ones, jobs, and a sense of security for our future. Another challenge we all faced was isolation and having to distance ourselves from others, which was especially hard for extroverts and those who thrive on personal contact.
My own lifestyle didn’t change much as home is my favorite place to be, especially with my husband. However, after the first month of lockdown, I felt such a strong desire to break free from isolation as my longing for more human contact had reached its limit—I needed to be with others. I am grateful for the internet that enabled me to interact with others, express love, offer encouragement, share inspiring stories, and comfort those who were grieving but, in the end, there is nothing like being with people with skin on.
Jesus’ years of ministry on earth left little doubt that He knew how important personal contact was. He spent those years expressing love for others, changing hearts with His teaching, healing the sick, grieving over lost loved ones, and investing time and energy in the lives of many. He hand-picked twelve ordinary, unremarkable men and loved and taught them so effectively that He transformed them from sinners to saints, from enemies to friends of God. Together they fished, ate, walked, talked, worked, celebrated, slept, taught, traveled, rejoiced, cried, prayed, and grew in their faith. Jesus made friends with the lovely and the unlovely, loved and unloved, the poor, wealthy, sick, healthy, the religious, and influential. His love for others was, and still is, redemptive, healing, and life-changing. It was His number one priority—more important than earning an income, owning a home, bemoaning gas or food prices, or worrying about His future. Jesus knew from the beginning that the path He was on would lead to the cross.
May we be reminded during this Lenten season that Jesus is still changing hearts, transforming sinners into saints, teaching us, healing the sick, comforting those who grieve, offering His redemptive love, as well as His peace, comfort, grace, and encouragement in these uncertain times. And He holds our future in His hands.
Dear Father, help us to trust You for our future. We acknowledge that You are in control and have a plan for all of this. Long ago, part of Your plan was for Your Son to die on the cross. Jesus knew what His future would be and chose to die on that cross, for us. Jesus, we thank You, and pray in Your sovereign name. Amen.
-painting by Leanne Bowen
