I pull the boys’ pastel plaid Easter shirts from the belly of the washing machine and place them on hangers. Then I hook the hangers on the antique ladder that stretches above. Soon the rungs are full. The shirts wave like banners because the window is open, and there’s a strong spring breeze.
Easter was almost a week ago.
This morning I vacuumed up what I hope is the last of the Easter grass. There’s just one wedge of strawberry cake, our Easter dessert, left under the glass dome on the buffet. It’s been a few days since we stood with our brothers and sisters in Christ, singing and celebrating the glory of our Risen King.
Easter is over.
What do we do now?
I think about this as I pick up a basket to load the washer again. T-shirts and athletic pants and Nike socks tumble in. And right in the center of this mundane chore come thoughts of power and glory and might.
Easter means VICTORY.
Because of Jesus’ victory, I can claim Resurrection power. In Him, there is power over sin. Power over fear. Power over any form of darkness that would come against me. His power will bring strength to my life as a gift of grace.
I can do everything through him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:13, NIV)
Because of Jesus’ victory, I can claim Resurrection hope. There will be struggles in this world, but the Lord is not watching from afar. He’s active and present in my life. He’s beside me in the tough places, loving me, working in ways I don’t always even understand–to bring about His perfect plan to conform me to the likeness of His Son.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28, NIV)
Because of Jesus’ victory, I can claim Resurrection joy. There is nothing that can separate me from the love of Christ. He will walk beside me every day of my life in this world, and then I’ll spend eternity with Him in the next. I will never be without the Lord. There’s a place in heaven that has been set aside, prepared just for me.
In my Father’s house, are many rooms: if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. (John 14:2, NIV)
The resurrection of Jesus makes a difference in my life.
This life-giving truth moves through my heart.
And as I go on to the rest of my day, the victory will weave into everything I do. Into every chore. Into every commitment. Into every relationship.
It washes over everything I am.
And all that I will become.
Thank you, Jesus…
