Easter Discipline
“Although you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” – 1 Peter 1:8-9 (NRSV)
During the season of Lent many Christians are very intentional about their faith walk with the Lord. Many enter into deliberate disciplines including prayer, fasting, worship, submission, repentance, meditation, and sacrifice. We seek to put more effort into our faith as we journey to the cross with Jesus. I always look forward to these disciplines. It is a time to step it up and go deeper for awhile. Sometimes I venture into new disciplines that I have never done or I renew old disciplines that are wonderful companions to my faith walk with Jesus.
But Lent is over. Christ is risen! Alleluia! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! On Easter Day I am filled with such joy! The powers of sin and darkness are no match for the love and grace of God! The victory is won and I am restored! A free gift from Jesus to us all! Wow! On Easter I sing with more abandon and I pray with more delight and I am surer than ever that God loves me!
And then comes the day after Easter. I often go back to my ordinary ways. No extra effort – just my every day, ordinary faith walk with Jesus. But I am reminded this year that the Christian tradition has always invited us to an Easter that is not a day but a season! From Easter day to the day before Pentecost (50 days!) we celebrate Easter! Lent was 40 days, but Easter is 50 days. So this year I am exploring what it would mean to have an Easter discipline that would encourage me to seek extra joy and delight as I live as an Easter child of God. Therefore I am seeking the discipline of joy through music. Both traditional and contemporary, religious and secular!
For me, music invites me to a level of joy in extraordinary ways! So, more music, more of the time, to seek more joy and delight in my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ this Easter season. Christ is risen! Alleluia! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
Bringing It Home:
1. What Easter discipline would help you live in the joy of Easter?
2. Don’t keep the joy to yourself. Find a way to share it each day!
Prayer:
I love you Lord. And I lift my voice to worship you! Fill me with joy that overflows that I may bring your joy to others. Amen.
John A. Holm
Transforming Church Institute
www.transformingchurch.net
