It just doesn’t feel like Easter.
Anyone else out there feel this way?
No sunrise services, no pancake breakfast hosted by the youth groups, no new Easter outfits for the kids, no large gatherings over Easter dinner. This year, Easter doesn’t look or feel the way it normally does. We are all making plans to celebrate while practicing social distancing – that new word in our vocabulary to describe the lifestyle change we are working to adopt.
As I have reflected over the past week, I have realized a number of things.
First, is it possible that all the trappings of Easter – the church service, Easter dinner, coloring Easter eggs, preparing Easter baskets – have become idols for me? Is it possible that these traditions have actually gotten in the way of my ability to focus on Jesus? Have I allowed Him to become an afterthought as I have scrambled to do all of those other things in years past?
This year, all of that has been stripped away. I am left with Jesus and the cross, along with the reality of my own shortcomings – my sin and my failure to be set apart, to be holy as He is holy. As always, conviction can sting. But, I am eternally grateful that He never gives up on us. He is not content that we should remain as we are – but desires to see us become more like Him every day.I think that is one way that God is using the COVID-19 pandemic in my life – as a way to reset my focus on what Easter is really all about.
Second – most of us are experiencing unexpected free time. We can use this time to catch up on long-overdue projects, rekindle a favorite hobby and finally get ourselves into a routine of spending time with Jesus each day. What a gift!
All this extra time, however, can lead to some difficulty – especially for those who are alone. Right now, my father-in-law is living in an assisted living facility that is 100 miles from his nearest child. He is in his 80’s and has several underlying health conditions that put him at a higher risk of adverse outcomes related to COVID-19. There are no visitors allowed in the facility right now and residents have been told that they need to stay in their individual living quarters. This man just lost his wife of 60+ years before Christmas. His hearing is not good and he is not adept at using technology. He is alone and very isolated. This can lead to discouragement and despair on his side and anxiety and frustration on our side, as there is very limited direct communication available right now to check in on him.
For other single adults, their ‘singleness’ has likely never felt more pronounced. They are alone. Humans are built for community and we crave physical touch. Community can be hard to create or maintain when you are supposed to stay 6 feet from others. No hugs, no reassuring arm squeezes, nothing.
It is in this isolation that Satan can do some of his best work. He delights in our despair and depression. He loves to cast doubt on the goodness and unchanging character of God. It can be the perfect time for him to sharpen arrows of accusation to send our way. I have been privileged to lead several post-abortion Bible study groups in recent years. One thing we always talk about in these groups is the danger of isolation and secrecy. When we have a deep, dark secret in our lives (like a past abortion, addiction, sexual promiscuity, etc), Satan works overtime attempting to convince us that we cannot let anyone know what we have done – that we have to keep our secret hidden. He whispers that we are horrible people, that we committed unforgivable sin, that we are damned. He inserts fear into our hearts that tells us we will be rejected by those who mean the most to us if they ever find out.
The guidelines for preventing transmission of COVID-19 can make the lies of Satan seem true. We are encouraged to wear masks and gloves. We are instructed to stay a distance from others. There are plexiglass partitions separating us from those who ring up our groceries and our toilet paper. A friend told me the other day that she has to work to fight off the idea that these measures are because she is evil. She has to work to remind herself that this is to protect people – not from her and the evil that she identifies in her life – but from the virus.
This year, when Easter looks so different, it is more important than ever to focus on the point of Easter. The point is this: Jesus came to earth to die so we could find the path to forgiveness, salvation and eternal life. That is the best gift that has ever been given in all of human history. This gift is free for anyone regardless of their past, their sin, their brokenness. None of us is good enough on our own to make our way into Heaven because each of us has sinned (Romans 3:23). God didn’t wait for us to clean up our act before He provided a way of rescue (Romans 5:8) – but sent His son Jesus to earth to save humanity (John 3:16). All we need to do is to respond to His offer (Romans 10:9-10; Acts 3:19).
The way we observe Easter this year is different – that is true. But, Easter – the reason for Easter – has not changed. Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). He gives us victory over sin and death (1 Corinthians 15:55-57).
As you watch livestream of Easter Sunday church services, celebrate this truth with all that is in you…and I will do the same.
Until next time -
Kay
P.S. I will be celebrating Easter with Bethel Church tomorrow - join the livestream if you don't have a home church!
