Easter Sunday, 3/23/2008

Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. -Romans 6:4

I don’t know if there is anything harder to do than to change myself. There have been many, many things that I have tried alter in my life. More often than not, these attempts have met with moderate success, if at all. Most of the time, I find that failure results in giving up in making a change. Moreover, age and experience has taught me that not only can I find it extremely difficult to make a personal change, I really can’t change others! Think of your with attempts to “change your … spouse, partner, friend – and children?” Have you had that experience?

The good news of Easter is that we are no longer must live with our own abilities to change ourselves, we are no longer bound by our own limitations. We are set free to see ourselves through God’s eyes, and relinquish all hold on those things that hinder our life in Christ. Everything, every sin, every behavior, every action now is open to the Spirit to change. We, like Paul, can celebrate the death of self, and rise in Christ, to a life transformed.

That is not to say that it does not take effort, prayer, guidance, support and community to empower us through the Spirit to change. We are called to respond to this great gift. In the celebration of Easter, find that gracious and beautiful sacrifice that Christ made for you as freeing. I cannot change, but by the love and grace of God, each day I can rely and receive that great gift of new life that gives me strength to grow more like Him each day.

May this Easter herald a peace and joy that remains in your life each day – for we are a new creation in Him!

By L.D.