Deacon Anne Strong

Acts 2: 14, 22b-32

My Dear Sisters and Brothers,

Happy Easter!

There can be no denying that Easter was a miraculous event; but the miracle is still in play, offering us the assurance of resurrection and new life. I refer to it as “The Comeback Story.”

Jesus endured suffering and death and was tossed in a tomb sealed by an impenetrable stone. All hope lost? Not for God who breathed new life in Jesus and who plans the same miracle for you and me.

As a pastoral minister I have watched many face “crucifixion:” loss of a child, illness in body and spirit, and broken relationships …all  which appear impossible to rise from. We cannot avoid pain. Like Jesus, we must go through suffering to reach the promised new life.

What God assures, as evidenced in Jesus’ experience, is that the worst thing we must endure will never be the final event. Somehow, some way, God will restore our soul on earth and definitely in heaven.

Easter becomes a reality in our lives the moment we move from fear to trust, despair to hope, and defeat to comeback.

God’s timing remains an uncomfortable conundrum. We never know when the stone will be removed—only that it will. Reviewing Easter miracles in my life, they all took longer than I wished. Gritty and vulnerable prayers are the only way through.

“Dear God, remove the stone so I can breathe. Please.”

When God restored Jesus, He bore wounds and Thomas touched them. Wounds testify to the pain we endure on earth. It is remarkable, maybe miraculous, that we have the courage to move forward.

The work of faith is making yourself open and porous to a resurrection in your life. Pray for this, see how close you can get your soul to God. Sit in our church, listen for God’s direction: in the music, God’s tenderness and whispered prayers. Resurrection will become a reality, a rebirth of hope in a broken soul.

Easter is a promise from God that no matter what you are going through..all will be well.

A comeback story is coming to you.

With Christ’s love,

—Deacon Anne