Easter is more than just eggs, bunnies, chicks and eating copious amounts of chocolate. Easter is a time for reflection and celebration.
Over the past few days many people around the world, regardless of their religious beliefs, have been enjoying some time away from the daily grind of the 9 to 5 and the weekly monotony of work and home.
They’ve taken advantage of the Easter Holidays (a time associated with the Christian theme’s of ‘Reflection and Celebration’) and spent time either on an extended holiday weekend away from home with family and friends, or stayed at home and completed a number of tasks around the house.
For Annette & I we have spent time in the later – for the first time in a number of years we have not had to arrange and facilitate Easter Services, or be involved in transporting young people around New Zealand to attend Easter Camps.
This has allowed us each to spend some time in our own ways reflecting on these Easter themes, centred around the story of Jesus at the Cross, in the Tomb and His subsequent resurrection.
Now one way in which I like to unwind is to do puzzles – and over the spate of a couple of days I completed this one that I’ve borrowed.
Currently there are 4 puzzles in the initial series which have been created by friends of ours down in Invercargill, and you can purchase one of their inspirational 1000-piece jigsaw puzzles from their online site J3:16 Gifts.
The puzzle I completed is an image of the Church of the Good Shepherd which is situated on the shores of Lake Takapō amongst the natural beauty of the lake and the mountains of the Mackenzie Country. You can read more about the church here.
This lakefront church is still operational today, holding weekly services and special events, and is a world renowned attraction with visitors from all over the world coming to spend some time in quiet reflection, taking in the sights of the natural beauty of the area.
The above panoramic photo was taken further around the lake when Annette & I had the pleasure of visiting a few years ago and we took plenty of obligatory photos of our time there with our three children.
This weekend I have been returning to the Scripture that features on the puzzle; “Pour out you hearts to him, for God is our refuge.” Psalm 62:8b (New International Version)
As has been the case for the past few years or so I tend to sit in a particular verse for a day or two, before expanding further by reading the full Psalm.
Taking into account the author, theme and context etc. I’ll then compare different translations of the verse, before also checking out Psalms/Now, which sort of provides a bit of a contemporary view of the Psalm and a slightly different slant.
The Voice translation puts the full verse (Psalm 62:8) this way; “Have faith in Him in all circumstances, dear people.
Open up your heart to Him;
the True God shelters us in His arms.”
What a timely reminder with everything that is going on around us in these times of war, pandemics, fuel and food shortages and crises of varying degrees all around the world – That we need to trust in Him.
This sentiment is repeated throughout the Old Testament and Proverbs 3:5-6 says that we are to “trust in the Lord with all our hearts and lean not on our own understanding; in all our ways submit to him, and he will make our paths straight.” (New International Version)
In all circumstances open up your hearts to Him.
I’d imagine that for those that followed Jesus in the days that followed the tragedy of the Cross they were confused, wondering what on earth had just happened and were filled with many doubts, concerns and fears. Their worlds had literally been turned upside down.
And in this time of mourning the women who had been to the tomb returned advising the disciples that He had risen and that they were to go to Galilee. More doubts, concerns and fears.
“The eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had said they would find him. There they met him and worshiped him – but some of them weren’t sure it really was Jesus!” Matthew 28:16-17 (The Living Bible)
Some still had doubts, concerns and fears – even though they had seen with their own eyes.
How about you? When we see the glory of His creation, when we see the signs of God at work in the world and wonder at things that happen which we cannot fully understand. Do we acknowledge Him? Or do we just fob it off as coincidence or chance?
In all circumstances we are to open up your hearts to Him and trust Him.
Throughout my life there have been times when I don’t know what, why or even how things have turned out the way that they have – and yet I trust in God for He is my refuge. He is my shield, my protector and so much more.
Do I have doubts, concerns and fears – of course! I wouldn’t be human if I didn’t, but I still believe. Do I understand why God allows certain stuff to happen? No! Do I understand the fullness of what happened at the Cross? Not really, as each year at this time of year something new is illuminated.
And yet in these times of reflection and celebration my heart waits on God. For I know that my salvation comes from Him. I may change my views about many things in my life as I grow older and wiser supposedly 🙂 But as for my need for God and His love, that is one conviction that shall never change.
Therefore, I encourage each of you in all circumstances to open up your hearts to Him and trust Him and His love.
You see, His love cannot be logically defined, but it can be experienced. Commit your life to Him, and you shall discover an anchor that will hold firm despite the chaos of this existence or the prattle of godless intellectuals. (Psalms/Now – Psalm 62)
For God is our refuge and He shelters us in His arms. And His invitation is to one and all, for there are no outsiders to His love.
This morning is the fourth in our series looking at the journey that Jesus took to the Cross, and beyond…
Join us next week as we look at the resurrection appearances, as found in the Book of 
The life and times of Perry... 