God's presence is not dependent on our feelings

Easter is in three weeks. Effectively, this Sunday’s emphasis will be the final emphasis on the themes of Lent. The next Sunday is Palm Sunday, which begins Holy Week, and culminates with the Feast Day of the Resurrection. By the way, the forecast for the weekend is possible snow showers. Out in our front yard, in the area where tulips would be starting to push up out of a warming ground during any other Lent/Easter season, still sits lifeless, bare and dark. A friend of mine remarked that it doesn’t really “feel like Easter.” Yet, when Sunday, March 23^rd rolls around, the sanctuary of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) will be vested in white, with spring flowers and the trumpet sound of an empty tomb.

“Thanks be to God” that the power of resurrection, the presence of the Holy Spirit and the incarnational ministry of the Church are not dependent on our being ready or feelings of preparation. Actually, the fact that God comes to us, uses us for the advancement of the Gospel, heals, inspires and saves in the midst of our weaknesses is the essence of the Gospel. “For God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger then human strength.” (I Corinthians 1:25)

God’s power and Word, whether it is the celebration of the Resurrection, the assurance of our salvation, the promise of healing or even God’s very existence, is not dependent on our feelings, desires, experiences or preparation. Ready or not, tulips or none, healthy or sick, snow or sun, the power of the resurrection is coming. In two weeks, the celebration of an empty tomb begins.