It’s the most important holiday of the year because it points to our need for someone beyond ourselves. It points to our need for a perfect Savior, which could only be fulfilled through Jesus Christ.
I grew up in a small Methodist church on the far side of town. With immaculately stained glass windows, red velvety pews, and abundant classrooms, you'd be shocked to know less than 100 people attended. And yet, every year, Easter would draw a crowd double that number.
One of my favorite memories at this church was attending the Passover meal. Right before the traditional Easter services, we'd partake in the body and blood of Jesus Christ. We'd sit around small tables, talk about His sacrifice, eat a meal, and imagine what it would've been like to have been one of the 12 disciples. We'd ask ourselves:
Would I stay faithful?
Would I follow at a distance?
Would I betray Jesus?
Would I give my life until the end?
At the end of the evening, everyone would shuffle back into the sanctuary for prayer and worship. As we sang "O The Blood of Jesus," and "Because He Lives," we were reminded to take this Easter—and every Easter to come—as a truly monumental day. To have the right perspective. To focus on what really matters.
As a child, I fought the temptation to idolize the Easter Bunny or the presents I would receive. I loved getting together with family, hunting for Easter eggs, and participating in holiday traditions. But I was often reminded that Easter isn't and shouldn't be a one-and-done day. It should be a reminder of how to live and why we have the freedom to live no matter what day it is.
1 Corinthians 15:1-5 says it this way: "Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve" (NIV).
Now into my late twenties, I don't struggle as much with the temptation of gifts and toys. I'm a minimalist who strives to live for heaven and not earth. But, I'm often tempted to glance over Easter as the same holiday we celebrate year after year. I'm often tempted to "believe in vain," when I choose to pass over the beauty of this holiday and focus on the stress and hustle and bustle instead. If you can relate, here are two practices I recommend to prepare your heart for Easter and beyond:
1. Don’t Let It Become Routine
Easter is not just another Resurrection Sunday. Though we celebrate this holiday every year, it’s a special reminder of what Jesus has done for us. It’s the most important holiday of the year because it points to our need for someone beyond ourselves. It points to our need for a perfect Savior, which could only be fulfilled through Jesus Christ.
Isaiah 25:8 paints this image beautifully: "He will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove his people’s disgrace from all the earth. The Lord has spoken" (NIV). Only Jesus could pay the price for our sins, and only Jesus could be the eternal sacrifice given once for all time (Hebrews 10:10-18).
If you're feeling like Easter is just another day or fighting to see the true purpose behind all the stress, anxiety, and overwhelm that often come with it, here are some practical suggestions:
-Read about Jesus' birth, death, and resurrection. Think about how your life would be different without Christ.
-Participate in a Passover meal of your own. Do some research, invite friends and family over, or attend a local church service. Ask the Lord to open your eyes to something new and fresh in this season.
-Spend 10 minutes every morning in silence or meditation. Read biblical accounts in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, and ask God to still your heart.
-Play worship songs throughout the day that focus on the cross, Jesus' sacrifice, and the life His death has given us. Some of my favorites are "Thank You Jesus For The Blood," by Charity Gayle, "Love of God," by Phil Wickham, and "Trust in God," by Elevation Worship.
2. Start Your Day with a Question
In Hannah Brencher's newest book, The Unplugged Hours, she recommends starting each day without your phone and with some thought-provoking questions instead. While I'm not very good at sitting in silence, I've made it my practice to start every day with 10-15 minutes of prayer, 30-60 minutes of Bible reading, and 10 minutes of solitude and meditation. Even if I have to get up before the crack of dawn, I will do it. Why? Because I want to start my day focused.
Though my mind likes to wander in these sacred spaces, I simply ask God three questions:
1. God, what do you want me to see today?
2. God, what do you want me to do today?
3. God, what do you want me to hear today?
Asking these three questions doesn't just jumpstart my day, but it points my heart and head in the right direction. While I like to do this practice every day of the year, it's special during the Easter season. It helps me meditate on what Jesus gave for me and brings a fresh love and appreciation for His sacrifice.
If you're feeling like your days run off the rails before you're ready to go, or you're struggling to connect with God first thing in the morning, here are some practical applications:
-Try asking the three questions above and journaling your thoughts with pen and paper. Then, sit in silence for as long as you can or are able. The amount of time doesn't matter. What matters is that you're trying!
-Make it a goal to start every day with the Word instead of technology. If you need to, I even recommend setting alarms on your watch or a physical alarm clock.
-Read an Easter devotional on YouVersion and do it with a friend for accountability. Check in 1-2 times a week and talk about what you're learning.
-Meditate on Hebrews 10:10-18. Examine how Jesus fulfilled the Law and explore why all the sacrifices in the Old Testament are no longer needed. Engaging in this practice can take time, patience, and diligence, but it brings a greater awareness of our Great High Priest. Not one we can't relate to, but one who gave His all for us because of His divine love.
Do you struggle to prepare your heart for Easter? Which of these practices will you try to implement this season? Remember, Jesus sees your heart, and He died for you. The least we can give Him in return is our lives dedicated in full surrender to His will. As He gave His life to the Father, so we give our lives to Him.
Agape, Amber
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/AlessandroPhoto
