Resurrection Hope

I recently attended a retreat and as I perused the womensitting in the large circle, I became curious as to the journey each of themtook to arrive in that particular seat, in this particular location, “for sucha time as this.”

Later that day, I conducted a scientifically lacking surveyand simply asked several women how they ended up at our retreat. Notsurprisingly, the majority of them said they were invited by someone else. Theywere personally invited. One lady read an advertisement on Facebook; another sawit in the church bulletin. The majority, however, were invited by a friend orfellow church or Bible study attendee.

The beginning of Holy Week stirs up many personal thoughtsas I spend a few extra minutes each morning contemplating what this week lookedlike to Jesus. As I ponder His suffering and agony and anticipation of becomingbroken for us, I am also reminded of my friends and neighbors who haven’t yetexperienced His great love for our very broken world.

How do they go on? How do those without a personalrelationship and faith in Jesus continue to walk in this fallen world with allthe aches, pains and hopelessness that would naturally accompany a journeythrough this life? These are questions I find myself wrestling with often as Ilook out my window and walk down my street, realizing the hurt anddisappointment and suffering that takes place behind the wreath-decorated doorswith spring flowers blooming in the buckets on the front porches.

If I really believe Jesus’ death and resurrection makes allthe difference in my life, and He is the only real Hope in this world, why am Inot more intentional to share His love with the hurting friends and neighborsGod has placed in my life?

Easter Sunday quickly approaches. My prayer is that I willuse this week to really engage in conversation with my neighbors and to offerthem the Hope I’ve experienced that I know only comes from a relationship withJesus.

People are more likely to visit a church (or any gathering) wherethey personally know someone else who attends. A warm and genuine invitation isoften all it takes to move someone from thinking about attending church towalking through the doors.

Will you join me over the next few days in praying for opportunitiesto share with our friends and neighbors, for that unexpected meet-up at themailbox or bus stop, for the inconvenience of running out of sugar and beingbrave enough to knock on the door to ask our neighbor if we can borrow a cup? BecauseI’m asking, I’m expecting God to provide an easy and natural way for me toconnect and invite a friend to church on Sunday. According to Lifeway Research,Easter is the most popular church attendance day on the calendar. Let’s seizeResurrection Day and offer Hope to those we know!

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Someone Saw A Need

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You Are My Favorite Child!