
I took a quiet deep breath, trying to lean into what was being directed towards me, trying to understand where he was coming from. I responded, “I certainly can appreciate how you might have that perspective about Christians.”
Believe it or not, I really valued this conversation. I continue to push myself to hear the voices of those who come from an entirely different reality than mine. It is too easy, especially in this day of social media, to surround yourself with people who share your views. In my mind, this is just fertile ground to think that you have all the answers, you are right and others are wrong. This is the place where self righteousness thrives.
What does it mean to me to be Easter people? I believe we are created in the image of God, gifted by the Holy Spirit and called to follow the Way of Jesus into the world. We go forth as people who know that our lives can go off track into selfishness and self destructive behavior. Yet we also know that God’s love for us is unconditional, demonstrated by God’s endless invitation to be in relationship. That is cause for joy. We know that when we do stray, there is always a pathway to repentance (heading back in the right direction) and redemption (living as God created us to be) and reconciliation (striving to bring healing and wholeness to all). All causes for exuberant joy for the new life that is there for us.
So here is an Easter challenge: what is one thing you can do or say each day that will suggest to another person (and I’m not talking about our Church peeps) what it is to be a follower of Jesus into the new life of Easter?

+Brian