Momentum For Monday, April 10th 2023

"Because I live, you also will live." (John 14:19)

I remember three years ago, when the lockdown occurred, people were hoping to be out of quarantine by Easter (silly us, what were we thinking). Rumors swirled online, but to no avail, most churches figured out how to celebrate this important holiday in another creative manner. It was strange for us all I'm sure, but everyone did what they could to create what little normalcy was left to be had. We had no idea how long things would be the way they were.

My, we have come so far in the last couple years. I am so grateful that we do not have the restrictions any longer. I felt awful for those that were subjected to quarantining by themselves with no person to be physically present or keep them company. Thank God for technology, but it cannot serve you a warm embrace. Beautiful moments still occurred in those tough seasons and I can remember one that still gets me.

A lockdown was occurring all over the world and people were sharing videos from everywhere. One of the few things that improved during the pandemic was creativity if nothing else. One video I stumbled upon was shared from Brazil.  Someone recorded people singing while playing "Because He Lives" over a loud speaker between what looks to be two huge apartment buildings. Though it's one of my all-time favorite songs, there's something beautifully moving about people lifting up their voices to sing about hope in the midst of a depressing time in their lives.

The message of that old song is an important one. Church buildings may have been closed, but the global Church popped up in the midst of unlikely places and times. Those that were struggling the most in a season of most uncertainty had hope spring up in resurrection fashion .

The resurrection of Christ didn't just happen over two thousand years ago. Resurrection power is still alive in us today because of the Holy Spirit. That's what resurrection does, brings life when it looks like things are dead. On this post-Easter Monday, don't forget that. Easter is once a year, but resurrection power can be accessed any time. He overcame and lived so that we could too.

"And if the Spirit of God, who raised up Jesus from the dead, lives in you, he will make your dying bodies live again after you die, by means of this same Holy Spirit living within you."

(Romans 8:11)