This Holy Week is a little different, isn’t it? Usually, most of us are busy shopping and meal planning for our big Easter dinner with extended family and friends, or we’re planning to be away for the long weekend, or making sure our people have appropriate Easter outfits to wear. Not this year. Oh, we’ll make the best of it and have church online (maybe Easter pajamas will be a thing?) and have a shrunken Easter dinner for those under our roof. We’ll Zoom with loved ones and possibly get some fresh air—as long as we practice social distancing. And perhaps, just perhaps, in our solitude, we will see the sacrifice of the Saviour with fresh eyes…
Seems like we’re seeing everything with fresh eyes these days, doesn’t it? A pandemic will do that to a person. A new appreciation for a brisk spring walk, a phone call with a friend, a cupboard full of toilet paper! New worries like job security, paying mortgages, schooling our kids. Health is top of mind and we suddenly realize how fragile life is. Our loved ones across town seem like they are a thousand miles away. And those overseas are constantly in our prayers. I know, the physical separation is heartwrenching.
But even as we are worried and disappointed and separated from loved ones and from our regular lives this Easter weekend, we can fearlessly ask and answer this question:
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?” Romans 8:35
Dear friend, NOTHING can separate us from the love of Christ. Not fear nor frustration. Not sickness nor sorrow. Not pain nor pandemic.
And this weekend, ESPECIALLY this weekend,
- as we remember the sacrifice of the Son of God on the cross for each one of us—
- as we recall Jesus took on all our pain and suffering and grief and everything this battered and bruised world is experiencing today—
- as we realize He indeed knew greater separation than we can ever imagine when His Father turned His face away—
- as we rejoice in the knowledge that He conquered death so we may have life eternal—
…we can rest in this truth:
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39
His love hasn’t gone anywhere. In fact, we feel it even deeper in the quiet of quarantine. We claim the cross. We celebrate the sacrifice. From our homes, we hone in on Jesus.
In this unique season of separation, in this Holy Week, let’s draw near to the One who loves us most:
“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” James 4:8
May this Easter be precious—even in our solitude as we ponder His sacrifice.
Blessings to you and yours… stay safe and healthy,
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Well said my friend!
Thanks so much, Kim. 🤗 Easter blessings and a virtual hug to you!
As you share, this Easter is different from any other we have experienced. Yet, there are things that remain the same. Christ suffered, died on the Cross, and rose again. That Truth never changes and it is our foundation for this difficult, uncertain time. Blessings to you this Good Friday and Easter weekend.
Thanks so much, Anne— yes, our God is unchanging and His truth stands firm, we take the greatest comfort in that! 🤗 Easter blessings to you and yours!
This is a beautiful post! Happy Easter to you. Hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Sherry
https://justlivejoy.com/7-faith-based-movie-must-sees/
Thank you so much, Sherry, I appreciate you taking the time to stop by! 🤗 Easter blessings to you!
This is such a beautiful post! Sorry if you’re getting this comment twice. My computer timed out. With everyone home lately that happens a lot. lol. I hope you have a wonderful Easter!
https://justlivejoy.com/7-faith-based-movie-must-sees/
Thank you so much… no worries, your comment only came through once and is appreciated! 😉 Your website is gorgeous, by the way— I’ve bookmarked it to check out later. Easter blessings to you and yours!
Engaging post… These days have truly brought a revelation of who we are and where we are going…
Welfare unto all
Rab rakha
Thanks for stopping by, Ruby— these are definitely interesting days. Blessings to you! 🤗
Beautiful post! I honestly enjoyed this Easter spent in solitude with my husband and kids without the stress and demands of traveling to visit family. We are a military family and we are the ones who always have to do the traveling for holidays. And when we decide not to, we are often end up with extended family members being very angry with us. So it was really quite nice to have an excuse not to travel and no one could really justifiably get angry at us! Thanks for sharing and linking up with me.
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
Thanks for stopping by, Shelbee— I’m so glad you enjoyed your quieter Easter… sometimes the solitude is a blessing! 🤗 Take care!
Easter did have a quieter, more thoughtful, quality this year. And I’m so thankful that we can trust God and how He continues to use it all. But most of all I’m thankful for the promise of Romans 8.38-39. Thanks for saying all this so well. Pinning.
Thanks so much, Donna— it was more contemplative for most of us, I’m sure. Those verses in Romans are such a sweet promise to cling to, especially in this season. 🤗 Blessings to you!
I, too, believe that God has a good purpose in all of this. I pray that many will turn to Him in faith as their realize how fragile life is and how fleeting and lacking in real security all these temporal things are. And I’m so thankful for the promise of Romans 8.38-39. Beautiful post. Pinning.
And I echo your prayer, Donna—thank you!