I Wonder

April 12 is Easter! At the writing of this article I wonder whether we will be able to celebrate Easter this year. Will we be able to meet at chapel and joyously sing together, “Christ the Lord is Risen Today”? Or will we meet in small groups? Will the coronavirus pandemic still be affecting our lives in unprecedented ways?

As I experience the changes in the way we cope and interact, I wonder how people from other times and places have coped with frightening realities.
The 16th century theologian Martin Luther said this during the plague, on how best to practically and spiritually overcome.

You ought to think this way: “Very well, by God’s decree, the enemy has sent us poison and deadly offal. Therefore, I shall ask God mercifully to protect us. Then I shall fumigate, help purify the air, administer medicine, and take it. I shall avoid places and persons where my presence is not needed in order not to become contaminated and thus perchance infect and pollute others, and so cause their death as a result of my negligence. If God should wish to take me, he will surely find me and I have done what he has expected of me and so I am not responsible for either my own death or the death of others. If my neighbor needs me, however, I shall not avoid place or person, but will go freely.”

We will get through this. Scripture encourages, “It came to pass…” Thankfully, no difficulty lasts forever.

So in contemplating these momentous days I ask myself, “How will this crisis have affected our nation? Will there be some positive results?” Will we be a kinder nation of people who try to work together? Will we have stronger faith communities who have tenaciously held to God through prayer? Will I personally have grown in my ability to put worry in its place and rest in God’s provision for today?

Sometimes we have to go through the struggles and questions before we get to the good part! Isn’t that the way it was that first Easter? Our Lord had to experience the hard stuff before the good part. He felt the betrayal keenly, he felt completely abandoned by His Father, and the pain was excruciating! Yet, He saw the good that would result from His sacrificial death, life for you and me—spiritual life, hope, eternal life with Him forever.

So, whatever day we celebrate Easter is not as vital as what Easter means. It means joy and rebirth after heart-wrenching experiences. It means life because Jesus’ tomb is empty!! And that is wonder-ful!!!

Sherree Lane, Scandia Shores Campus Pastor