I grew up in the church, majored in biblical studies in college, attended seminary. But the first time I realized how much our faith has to say about resurrection was when my grandmother died. She was a real grandmother, taking into her home all of our families at once when each of her sons and her son-in-law went missing the same week during the war. Later she cared for all of her grandchildren in her home as the families all fell apart in different ways after the war. Even after I went away to college and graduate school, she continued to send letters right up until the week she died – about family, politics, her philosophy of life.
When she died, I felt very sad, but only for myself in her loss. A profound sense of peace came unexpectedly as I received the call between church services at a church where I was serving as youth coordinator. She died in my hometown, many miles away. After the call came, returning to finish the second worship, I suddenly realized how much our faith had to say about resurrection and how much it was emphasized in our worship that day and how important it is to our belief. Those many references to resurrection could not have been there last week! They just seemed to show up that day. But, truly, they were always there.
What a gracious hope we have been given so that in all we do, there is no real tragedy ending in uselessness. No matter what we see and what we endure, there will be a time of rejoicing. Our sadness is real when it comes. It is not unimportant. But so is our hope real, and that hope will help us overcome.
Do not be afraid. I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised. (Matthew 28:5-6)
Fran Peel
No comments:
Post a Comment