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And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.”

- Luke 24:5-7 

Sometimes you have to go through something difficult to get to something good.  
 
Years of training to become a successful athlete.  
 
Years of school to get the job of your calling.  
 
Sometimes it takes years of healing to find joy.  
 
Sometimes it takes many rounds of chemo and radiation to be cured. 

…many moments of grief to develop peace and comfort.  
 
…many days of therapy to walk again.  
 
…sessions of counseling to find resolution.  

The path of victory often requires struggle. It is part of the journey, and often it is not only unavoidable, but necessary.  
 
A kernel of wheat must die in the ground before life can begin again.  
 
There is no Easter without Good Friday.  
 
No empty tomb without a cross.  
 
No scars of glory without the nails and spear.  
 
No healing wounds without the whip.  
 
No forgiveness without the darkness and cry of “My God, My God. Why have you forsaken me?”  
 
No announcement of “He is risen” without the words, “It is finished.”  
 
You may be going through some difficult times. We are all coming out of a difficult time of Covid – some are still dealing with the aftereffects. 
 
But there is still hope because God is still at work. When all was quiet on that Easter Saturday, God was at work behind the scenes. New life was coming. Death was being defeated. The stage was being set for something amazing – the Resurrection of Jesus.  
 
Easter is here. It’s time to celebrate. It’s time to experience new life. A fresh wind of grace and mercy. A resurgence of hope.

This Easter, if you can, please join us as we come together as a family. Invite your family. Invite your friends. If you are online, perhaps it is time to return to being in person so we can see each other’s faces and rejoice together. Come ready to celebrate.  
 
We have been through the valley; it’s time to experience the mountaintop.  
 
It is Easter. It’s time to rejoice. He is risen.