Easter Mentality

1 Peter 2:21-24~

For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps.
He never sinned,

nor ever deceived anyone

He did not retaliate when he was insulted,

nor threaten revenge when he suffered.

He left his case in the hands of God,

who always judges fairly.

He personally carried our sins

in his body on the cross

so that we can be dead to sin

and live for what is right.

By his wounds

you are healed.

For some reason, this Easter is different than those I've celebrated in the past. Since last Easter, I have grown so much. Never before have I been able to truly appreciate the massive gift that Christ has given me. I still can't wrap my mind around it- it's crazy! But I've never been so excited to rejoice in this time! We have been given the most precious gift ever. John 15:13 says, "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." Does that not make you so...I don't know...jubilant? Exhilarated maybe? I am so thrilled to be able to experience such a complete and perfect love. Yet I am also overcome with the knowledge of the fact that I don't deserve it. I thank Christ for loving me, a sinner, enough to give his own flawless life for me. It's overwhelming.

This year, I am celebrating a new meaning to this time. I am more in tune with God at this point, so the gravity of the Easter season is really hitting me. Having recently read the gospels, I have a better understanding of the events that happened around this time so long ago. I definitely recommend reading over the story of the Last Supper all the way through the Resurrection- I plan on doing that tonight to reinforce the information and the reality that we are remembering over the next 3 days--and hopefully not letting slide to the back of our heads when this season is over! Tonight in church, at the end of the confession of sin, we asked that God, "Restore to us the joy of our salvation and grant us a willing spirit to sustain us." I hope that we may restore the joy of our salvation and savor it so that we do not forget the price paid and the huge amount of love expressed in the biggest sacrifice of all time.

God bless :)