Easter is almost here. Well, for all intents and purposes, it’s here. Services began as far back as Ash Wednesday and continued on through Palm Sunday. Many have given up things that they “love” for the purpose of denying themselves and focusing on Christ. Some have added “practices” that they don’t usually do, in hopes of connecting more to the Easter Story.
At my age in life, I have given up chocolate bunnies far too many times, and have fasted until I felt like I would faint…so this year, I too have added something different. For this forty day season I have been practicing going to the Lord Jesus Christ with every little care… and I mean every little care. This is an exercise in coming into agreement with His Word.
His word tells me the following:
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7
“The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Phil 4:5-6
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” Matthew 7:7
” Your heavenly Father knows what you have need of. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.” Matthew 6:32,34
He Cares for You
The message of Easter is that He Cares for You. He cared enough to obey the Father, carry the cross, stand in your place, as he made the way to his death. He knew the plan. If He died, His blood would cover us…our sin and our spirit starved selves, providing a way for us to have new life in the Power that Raised Him from the dead.
This is not a Hallmark story, a made for T.V. movie, or something trite. This is the most powerful thing that has ever been done for us, and the power behind the resurrection desires to rule and reign in our lives every day…not just for the 40 days leading up to Easter morn.
But, like many people, I have stashed the story away. It collects cobwebs in my mind and is filed under “Easter Story”. I honestly don’t think about it much. Don’t get me wrong. I think about Jesus and what He wants me to do with my life. I think about rules, performance, and getting my ‘act’ together. But, I have had to literally pull up the TRUTH of Easter and His Care For Me…pulling it up into my mind, over and over during this 4o day season. And, as we round the corner to the real celebration in a few days…I have one thing to say…
Believing God Cares for you the way He says He does, is a life changing, stress busting, anxiety ridding practice. It also pleases God, because believing that what He says is true, is faith. Faith pleases God. Coming into agreement with what His word says…pleases God.
I want to point out three words:
Casting: in the 1 Peter verse is the Greek Word, epiripto. It means to place upon, to give up to God, to throw away or to throw off.
Anxiety: in 1 Peter it is the Greek Word, merimna. It means to be drawn in different directions. To have the care about things in this life pull us in distracting directions.
Care: here is the Greek Word, melei. It means to care about and have regards for.
The reason we can throw away our problems, placing them in God’s hands, is because He cares for us…and cared enough to go to the cross for our redemption and freedom. This God of Love is more than a story, His presence and power is as real today as it was the day he carried the cross. He carried the cross for all mankind, but he wants us to know that He cares and would carry that cross for us…as one single individual that He loves.
When I get drawn into different pieces and different directions due to my worries…I am not living pleasing to God. It’s not the emotion of worry or anxiety that is the problem, it’s what I do with it. So, when a worry presents itself…let’s practice telling ourselves the Truth…HE CARES FOR ME! And, as we tell our self the truth over and over, let’s walk by faith in that truth by throwing, sometimes hurling our cares onto Him. Let go, and re-focus. HE CARES FOR ME.
When things are dark and prayers seem unanswered…HE CARES FOR ME…so, I will trust once again. When times are challenging and I have no answers….HE CARES FOR ME. When I am not feeling well and there is no solution…HE CARES FOR ME. When relationships cause hurt and rejection to rear their ugly hurt and heads…HE CARES FOR ME.
Easter is here and it is pleasing to God to believe the Truth. He suffered, died, was buried and rose again…for us. Because He loves, He Cares. He now Empowers and Guides.
What will you believe that will be pleasing to God this Easter? When the chocolate bunnies and jelly beans are long gone, what will you give up to keep from living a distracted life? How would you live if this Easter was your last? How would you love? How would you care? What would you hold on to and believe?
Celebrating the Resurrection!
Debbie
PS. Earlier this week I blogged about God touching and healing me. I am still wrapping my self around the facts, and am amazed at how one day can change everything…either way. I am reminded that for now, I have today. Remember that with me, will you?
