Spring represents a time of refresh and renewal. Many of us look forward to sunny days and the weather turning warmer. We also look forward to decluttering and getting rid of things we no longer want or use.
I remember as a little girl growing up in church, we got excited about getting new Easter dresses, hats, gloves, and white patent leather shoes from Montgomery Ward’s Department Store. We would also practice for days, if not weeks, our Easter speeches so that we could recite them with perfection.
Church was my first introduction and training to public speaking. However, what I remember the most was my grandmother wanted to make sure we knew and understood, as Christians, the real meaning of Easter was the fact that Jesus Christ went to the cross on Good Friday, died for our sins and then rose from the dead so that we could have everlasting life. For us, Easter is Resurrection Sunday.
As I reflect on what the word resurrection means, it is an action word to bring something back. It is about reviving something that has died or been dormant for a period. This is a good season for us to all do a little reflecting on what we have allowed to lay dormant or even die in our lives that should be resurrected. One of the first things that comes to my mind are the dreams we have dropped that could flourish with a rebirth. Sometimes we allow minor challenges or setbacks to keep us from pursuing our hearts’ true desires.
What do you need to let die so that you can truly live the life you were meant to live? Something else that may need resurrecting are relationships that we once cherished, but for some reason have died on the vine. Do you have relationships in your life that you miss and for some reason you no longer speak or spend time together? What can you do to help bridge the gap so that you can revitalize it to where it once was or even make it better?
There are many people and things (the earth) that are dying all around us. Most of the time it comes from the lack of caring or losing the desire to put in the necessary work to make things better. My heart hurts due to the fact there is so much unrest in our world based on greed or the desire for power.
In places such as Haiti, Ukraine, or Gaza people are dying unnecessarily with no hope of being resurrected back to this life. Across the globe and right here in our own backyard, things are happening that are killing people’s spirit and hope. However, I believe that there is still much we can do to help restore hope and encourage those of us that yet remain that we can have a better world if we do our part to stop those who are destroying it, but it takes courage to go against the grain and speak up and do what is necessary.
As we all celebrate Easter in our own traditions, as for me and my house we will be observing Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday. I am truly grateful for His sacrifice so that I have the chance to live a life of service and encouraging others to never give up.
St. Augustine said, “The joyful news that He is Risen does not change the contemporary world. Still before us lie work, discipline, and sacrifice. But the fact of Easter gives us the spiritual power to do the work, accept the discipline, and make the sacrifice.”
Our world is still hurting today. Are you willing to put in the work and discipline and possibly even sacrifice when and where necessary to resurrect a hurting soul? Each of us has the power to help heal past wounds and bring back the possibility of compassion and concern for all mankind. I am willing to do my part. Will you join me?
Healing Without Hate: It’s a choice. It’s a lifestyle. Pass it on.
Visit www.WendyGladney.com and www.forgivingforliving.org to learn more. Wendy is a life strategist, coach, consultant, author, and speaker.
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