Praised (honored, blessed) be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah)! By His boundless mercy we have been born again to an ever-lasting hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, (1 Peter 1:3 AMP)

Easter had always been a day filled with excitement! My daughters looked forward to dyeing their eggs. An abstract collection of beautiful images with blended colors. No two were ever the same. The egg hunt was equally engaging. They would scramble throughout our home in the attempt to find as many as possible. One trying to outsmart the other. But their greatest expectation were their Easter baskets!

It was our tradition to hide them and the girls would set out on their scavenger hunt in search of finding their treasure. The anticipation of seeing their reaction to what each received was always an all time high! No two baskets were ever alike. My darlings have their own personality woven into the fabrics of their being with customized needs and wants tailored specifically to their identity. I’d fill their baskets with goodies I knew were just right for them. Their differences matched the unique gifts to be received.

God is amazing! The moment we’re birthed into existence our Lord does exactly that. He provides selflessly. His Omniscient capacity to deliver what we need, when and how leaves me in awe. In retrospect there wasn’t a moment when His providence wasn’t evident. Living a very worldly lifestyle, I was oblivious to His profound love and presence. Countless moments of undeserved favor kept me from death and brought me through the harshest peaks in my life.

The crisis that resulted in my emotional breakdown, led me to a wilderness I’d never known. Uncharted territory. Despair. Utterly hopeless. But I felt His tug. Calling out to me, “Hold on my child, I’m here.” It’s inexplicable but I sensed His presence. God had already planned on saving me from the destructive path I’d been on. I knew I had to turn my life over to Him.  Leave the old behind and start anew. To surrender my will to His wasn’t something I’ve ever considered. The time had come to choose. It was either Jesus or certain death. I chose Him.

For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trust in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life. (John 3:16 AMP)

Behold, I was born again! His boundless mercy had forgiven my unimaginable sins. My ability to understand this didn’t come to pass overnight. It was a process. But I felt His love. I knew there is absolute truth in John 3:16. I didn’t need to see it. I genuinely felt it. My heart ached for His love. He had sent His only begotten Son for our salvation. He’s our Rescuer. My encounter with Him dramatically changed the trajectory of my life!

Our sinful nature hinders us from pleasing Him, separating us from Him. Yet, He loves us so much He offered the greatest sacrifice. Jesus. He was walked among us in the flesh. Therefore, experienced all the human emotions and pain we did then and continue to do so now. He knew His mission was going to be excruciating and asked the Father to please pass the cup (suffering He was about to endure) from Him. But chose to do His Father’s will so that we may be saved from ourselves and united to God through Him. As a parent I recoil at the thought of offering my children as an offering for mankind. Nonetheless He chose to endure it for our benefit.

When we decide to follow Him there are conditions to consider. Are we willing to change the way we think, the words we speak, and the things we do? Jesus will ask us, “Do you love me?” as He questioned Peter. (John 21:15-17) It was important enough for Jesus to ask three times. He didn’t condemn him for his past. He merely wanted to know if Peter loved Him.

Dying to self as we pick up our cross can be extremely painful. Habits are hard to break. Relationships are difficult to separate from. But believing that Jesus was in complete accord with God’s redemptive plan to save humanity, I ask myself, “What am I willing to do for Him?” Can I bring death to what doesn’t glorify Him? Will I stop doing the deeds I’ve done? Shall I walk away from those who are preventing me from moving forward toward righteous living?

It’s not in search of perfection for we’re all flawed human beings. It’s merely being intentional to commit to Him. And when we fall as we sometimes will, we’ll arise again in repentance and continue to strive in our walk with Him. That’s what He desires from each of us. God never wanted any of us to perish.

He doesn’t ask why we’ve done all those shameful things. Our Father delights in our surrender. He meets us right where we are. The Heavens rejoice. When we choose to submit ourselves to His will, He gifts us greater treasures uniquely suited for each of us. I can personally attest to His faithfulness and grace.

You have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you and I have appointed you [I have planted you], that you might go and bear fruit and keep on bearing, and that your fruit may be lasting [that it may remain, abide], so that whatever you ask the Father in My Name [as presenting all that I AM], He may give to you. (John 15:16 AMP)

My life today has meaning. His resurrection matters. It was His sacrifice that resurrected me from the dead. I used to think I’d was in control of all my decisions. I can handle what came my way. I was resourceful. That dark day made me realize I never had a handle on anything! He carried me through every situation I encountered. Either by my choosing or I’d been forced into. He was there. In retrospect, I can clearly see His footprints. I’ve no doubt I’m lost without my Savior.

I hope to share with the world His sacrifice matters to everyone! What doesn’t matter is who we are, what we’ve done, and where we’re from. There’s isn’t anything that can’t be forgiven when we surrender to Him. He loves each of us. He’s merciful and gracious. He’s willing to supply our every need according to His riches in glory in Jesus Christ.

The resurrected King has resurrected me!

Are you resurrected?

Lord Jesus, Thank You so much for loving us. We’re sorry for grieving You and for the suffering You endured on our behalf. Please forgive us. You gave up Your one and only Son and if we believe in Him, we will not perish but have eternal life. A gift that is beyond what is deserved. We’re forever grateful. Help us stay connected to You in our words, thoughts, and deeds. May we be fed our daily spiritual manna instructing us how to live according to Your will and purpose.

It is in Your Son’s Name Jesus Christ we pray.                                              Song: Resurrecting
Amen.

God bless you and yours.
I love you.

In His Grip,