Resurrection Life  

 Jn 11:17-44 esp 25

25…I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?

Do I?

In light of the last two months, while watching family members fall into a sort of death, my perspective on resurrection life has been turned in a different direction than I originally intended. My father, suddenly wheel-chair bound, moved into my home and one month later had a massive stroke. My daughter, a college student, struggled with medication changes for chronic migraines leaving her with weeks of insomnia and a mental downward spiral leading to her hospitalization, and some life changes. In essence two very dear loved ones “died” directly after Resurrection Sunday. 

And, initially, in the shock of each tragic event, I died too. 

But God… This year I sought to really know Him, to abide in His presence and to allow His indwelling light to shine out of me, and, just as I chose to study Resurrection Life… I experienced death. But you can’t go after the Lord’s presence and stay in the grave. The indwelling force of His Love pulls you up by its very nature. My previous commitment was all I needed during the most difficult weeks of my life. Resurrection just happened. I didn’t pull myself up by my bootstraps, I didn’t keep chanting positive confessions, I just kept my eyes on Him whom I’ve been chasing this year. 

And suddenly… I was standing, able to do what needed to be done, pray how I needed to pray and do it with the joy of the Lord. I did not work to be in peace during these storms. The peace just came, and I can’t explain how in any other way than to say seek Him (not it) and you WILL find Him. 

I don’t know exactly how the stories will turn out, but I do believe in and know the One who is resurrection life, and He’s all I need to know.

Behold, the tabernacle of God is with me, and He will dwell with me, and I shall be His. God Himself will be with me and be my God. And God will wipe away every tear from our eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away. Then God says “Behold, I make all things new.” Revelation 21:3-5 NKJV