Easter Good News
Easter Sunday is here and Lent is over!
Part of me is relieved that Lent is nearly over so I can resume the consumption of chocolate and binge watch television. You would think after 46 days the cravings would be gone, but they taunt me. I have repeatedly whispered, “God, I want to long for you like I long for chocolate and Netflix.”
The glorious discipline of Lent has brought me closer to God and has transformed some of my strongholds into mere indulgences. I have experienced God in powerful ways over the past 40-plus days.
But Lent isn’t about just overcoming temptations or even establishing new patterns. It’s to put me in the place where I anticipate the celebration of an an empty tomb. To synchronize my trust and faith with the RESURRECTION of Jesus. To really believe that because HE lives, I will live, too.
More than get out of hell insurance.
Jesus’ resurrection has to be more than get-out-of-hell insurance. It has to be the assurance that all the things wrong in my life and in yours can be resurrected.
I don’t know about you, but I need to know that today. I need to know that what’s wrong in my life right now isn’t permanent.
- That finances can be resurrected.
- That health can be resurrected.
- That marriages can be resurrected.
Do you want to know that? Do you need to know that it’s not always going to be like this?
Weary of rules
Lent seemed to last forever. The discipline is important, but the training is hard. I want freedom, not rules. I’m weary of the constraints. I want a resurrection moment!
Recently, my car stopped blowing heat. Not a wisp of air could be coaxed from the vents no matter how often or energetically I twisted the knobs and adjusted the buttons. Mr. 4-Ever called the mechanic who said, “I’ll have to take the dash apart. You’re looking at 5 or 6 hours of labor costs plus parts.”
Ugh, I didn’t want to invest so much in a car with a bazillion miles on it, but, heat is important. We live in Michigan!
I groaned. Mr. 4-Ever groaned. Then he got that look on his face that he does when a brilliant idea is percolating. He went out the car. I could see him peering at the mysterious workings under the hood, under the dash and under the seats. He wiggled wires and tapped on casings with a rubber mallet. He scratched his head. There was a little more jerking and grunting and then he smiled.
“Come and try it now,” he said grinning.
I flipped the switch and the fan blew hot air at my face with the force of a hair dryer. Heat, glorious heat! Hurrah!
“How did you do that?” I asked.
“I was praying and God led me to check the wires. There was a loose connection to the fan motor. I plugged it back in and voila’, it works.”
It was God’s Favorball* to us.
A financial blessing.
A time and money salvation!
A resurrection moment.
He’s in your waiting.
Friend, have you grown weary waiting for your resurrection moment to come? Does it feel like resurrection Sunday is still a long way off? I know the feeling.
Hang on. Your resurrection moment may be closer than you think. Do not give up hope. He is risen today and He sees you. He hears you. He is working on your behalf, closing the gap between heaven and earth.
Leave me a comment with the resurrection moment you are waiting for. I will pray over each one. What he did for me he can do for you. Actually, he can do even more according to Eph. 3:21-22. Now, to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Alleluia, He is risen. Mark 16:6
Prayer: Jesus, how thankful we are that you are alive. Thankful for an empty tomb.Thankful for the possibility of a resurrection moment at any moment. Help us to trust you as we wait for it. Amen.
* Favorball is a word I made up to indicate unexpected favor from heaven. It can be financial, inspirational, a divine meeting or anything that brings delight unexpectedly.
Happy Easter, Robyn! I loved this post and the hope it brings. I’ve had major surgery this past week for hysterectomy and repairs. I’m healing well but developed a mean reaction to all the antibiotics that were pumped into me. The breakout is miserable and I ask God for resurrection health.
Lord, I ask in agreement with Mary that you HEAL her right now. Smooth the irritation her body feels from medicine. Be the Healer she needs and restore her to excellent health. In Jesus Name amen
I love this post! You have given me my own favorball! I am experiencing so many messes in my life – all self-induced. Financial burdens or huge and crushing credit card and student loan debt and some pretty significant health issues, all while working 70+ hours/week as a MS/HS Principal. But my biggest prayer request is my husband’s salvation. We’ve been married for 31 years and I love him to death but he’s not a believer
Amen to that, Robin.
Father, I ask in agreement with Robin for favorballs to relieve financial stress, and (since you can do 2 things pretty easily) that you would lead her main man into a personal relationship with you. Thanks in advance, Jesus. Amen
I could relate to your car heater problem. The defroster in my car didn’t work so I took it to my mechanic who happens to be in my small group at church. He disconnected the computer and plugged it back in and it worked. He gave me the invoice with all zeroes on it and said “Merry Christmas”. I received a “favorball” too and thanked the Lord along with the mechanic of course.
So enjoyed seeing and hearing you speak at the Aetna Calvary Church last week.
Aww, that’s so cool, Ruth. Thanks for writing .
Robyn, I love your thoughts and words in this message. So much in line with the theme we are developing for the 2020 Prince of Peace women’s Retreat. Focus = THE GIFT OF THE RESURRECTION!! -Marty
I thought that, too, Marty!
Again Robyn you hit the nail on the head. I love “get out of hell free”.
Thank you. I need several resurrection moments, thanks for continuing to pray for me. Love you
Barb,
You are a GEM, (see what I did there) and I do pray for your resurrection moments this side of heaven. God, intervene in her life in ways that are unmistakably you. In Jesus Name, amen
Happy Easter! Recently our family has struggled with incident after
Incident which has burdened us both health wise and financially. Most recent was I had a stroke, I am only 48 years old. With both my husband and I wing off work we are financially strapped. I do however count my blessings, I only have some vision and balance issues left from the stroke. Today is my husbands first day back to work, can you please pray for his peace of mind and for my safety at home and for our daughter to be able to process everything, she is 13. Thanks so much for your prayers and for your ministry.
Hi Amy,
I sure to pray in agreement with you that your man’s first day back at work is seamless and delightful. Bring him home brimming with stories about how great his day was.
I pray for Amy to have courage and believe for full restoration of health.
Lord, I ask for this 13 year old daughter to have the maturity and compassion to face the incidents happening in her home.
We ask all these things In Jesus name amen.
Dear Robyn,
You are such a blessing in my life on so many levels! You love unconditionally, have great wisdom for my business and life, and throw joy around like confetti. I love getting sprinkled on! 🙂 What a great post this is! It’s so easy to get pulled down into the pit! And we can easily forget that if we stop and pray, God has the opportunity to lead us, speak to us, and heal us – and our vehicles ;). Thank you for this reminder!
I ask for your prayers that God will continue to heal the wounds from the past that get in the way of my life: my career, a fulfilling marriage, relationships. Pray for me to love unconditionally, not take things personally and be so full of joy i want to dance all the time! 🙂
He is risen!
Love you sister!
Wow, I’m printing, framing and posting this comment, Debbie. 🙂
I do pray in agreement for complete freedom from the past, a glorious future that includes fulfillment on every level and for you to be bulletproof in God’s love and acceptance of you.
Love you!
Hello Robyn,
Thank you for all your uplifting and practical advice. My prayer request would be for my Children to come back to God and in the process come back to our family. My daughter continues not to speak to me and refuses to let me see my grand daughter which I am doing better with but the holiday sure hit a bit harder than I expected. I know the kids are running from God and that breaks my heart especially since they are blaming me for their running, and to know that some of their stuff is true breaks my heart. I also pray that my healing process continues in warp speeds so I can be all that God created me to be. Thank you again for all you do for us!
Oh Girl, how I pray for your whole family to find the sweet spot of God’s love, acceptance and peace. Press in on the Lord to lead you and guide you as we wait for others to catch up. I pray for your heart not to be hardened by hurt. I pray for protection from lies for your granddaughter and for lies to be revealed to your daughter. Lord, have mercy. amen.
I am believing that my husband will receive a new kidney soon.
Oh Lord, make it so.
Lena, may you have peace in the process, too.