Resurrection

I have never been more thankful for Jesus. Because of what He did to make things right. This resurrection day, more than ever, I am reminded of all that is broken and in need of healing. Mercy feels more necessary and grace more undeserved. So I have never been more thankful for Jesus.

I have never been more thankful for Jesus. Because I am angry at what sin and its consequences have done to the world. To those I love. To me. I see the results of pride and selfishness and I want revenge and the strength to change. I want justice and I want to be transformed. But He took care of all that. He is taking care of all of it. That's why I have never been more thankful for Jesus.

I have never been more thankful for Jesus. Because He did what continues to be so incredibly hard for me. Love feels like more of a decision and forgiveness feels more like waking up every day and choosing to let go. To let what has passed be the past. But He proved it can be done. So I have never been more thankful for Jesus. 

I have never been more thankful for Jesus. Because the darkness feels heavy and some days I just want to lay down in the dark. Days when I don't even care if daylight is near. But Light is relentless and piercing and nothing can overwhelm it. Not even my own desire to stay where it is dark. No, I have never been more thankful for Jesus. 

I have never been more thankful for Jesus. Because on days when I feel more acutely the pain of what was lost in the garden, He reminds me He is not only the God who died to pay the debt for that loss, but He is also the God who was resurrected to restore what was lost. He was resurrected to breathe life back into bodies and souls. He was resurrected to heal families and mend friendships. He was resurrected to make rough roads smooth and crooked paths straight. He was resurrected to do what no one else could ever do. And the Hope I have because of all His resurrection accomplished, sustains me. Every day, in every way, Hope sustains me. Yes, of this I am certain, I have never been more thankful for Jesus.

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