In The Midst Of Tragedy

Just after having the time off from the busyness of life for the Easter holiday, it gave me a lot of time to reflect on some things. The Easter Passion Play, annually performed at church was a blessing for me to be a part of once again this year, but this time it was quite different…

From the conversations I hear at various places, “Easter” to many people means going to church and having Easter egg hunts. It breaks my heart that we can’t see each day as “Easter Sunday,” and this includes myself. However, as I continued to challenge my thinking on this, I thought back to the Passion Play. My role, Jerusha, was Jesus’ sister. During the scene of the crucifixion it was very, I don’t want to say easy to cry, but it came naturally ( I guess would be a better word). I really wanted to portray to the audience what Jesus’ family had to have been feeling at the time, but in reality, during each performance, I too was feeling the pain of watching Jesus die up on that cross.

It may just be a play to some, but seeing the Bible stories in action means something special to me. I can’t quite pinpoint exactly what it is, but God certainly has a way of working through the drama ministries.

When I was encountered with some difficult stuff these past couple years, God was the only one I knew I could turn to and not be afraid to pour out all of my emotions. Until this Easter, it never really hit me that through everything….through ALL THINGS, God has the Victory. Jesus’ death upon that cross is how we know. Death has no sting.

Not to be taken literally that if you follow Christ, everything will be a piece of cake because that’s definitely not true. However, following Christ is the way and only way to receive eternal Victory. ” It…..is…..finished.” are three of the most powerful words in my opinion. Through God’s strength and Holy Spirit, Jesus commended himself to His Father to save all of us from OUR sins. Not His sins, but OURS. I feel blessed.

When I think about every Easter from now on, it will be different. In addition, when I wake up each new day, I will look at life….life, differently.

God has not only sent His Son to hold the Victory, but to show that the tomb is now empty. When it came time for the scene of running to search for Jesus’ body in the tomb, as His sister, I was very very upset, yet I was also joyful that all that lay in the tomb were his cloths! The tomb was empty!

Passion Play became reality for me and it opened up not only my eyes, but my heart for what my Father was trying to show me and tell me. It the midst of persecution, sorrow, joy, madness, or confusion…God holds it all….He holds the Victory.

Happy Easter Sunday everyday!