It was about 16 years ago this past month, and after tearing through Europe for a week in a little Renault Clio, my father and I ended up in Paris for the last 2 days of our trip. After getting settled at the hotel in the afternoon and finding a spot around the corner for something for dinner, my dad wanted to stay in and rest, so I jumped on the Metro and headed to the heart of the city. I popped up in an island in the middle of the Seine, walked around the corner and saw Notre Dame Cathedral glowing in the setting sun. It happened to be Palm Sunday, so I walked over and stood in the doorway as they were having an evening service. I was not raised Catholic, but it was still a unique experience, especially for the first time seeing this structure made to honor the God I serve. At the same time, there were people milling about and walking by in front of the same building I stood admiring for the first time. Many of these folks were likely tourists, but many others may have been walking by here for the 800th time and thought nothing different about the day and place as we shared it together. So, what could be awe inspiring to one person was just another day to the person right next to them. Have you experienced this ever before?
For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18
If you are a born-again believer, surely you can recall a time in your life where you came to a knowledge of the power of the cross and what Christ did for you personally, and you asked him to be your Lord because of this. It may have been one of the most significant days in your life, and maybe for your family members, but to others, it may not have been much different. Today may have been like that for many others around the world. So, while some days may stand out in your life and mind as unique and exceptional, what makes them that way. It may have been a unique experience in a unique place, or maybe the people you were with made it significant. Regardless, it was something meaningful to you and that makes it worthwhile. Maybe we become complacent when we don’t have fantastic experiences or highs that match some of those earlier in our lives, but they can still be meaningful, can’t they?
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12
As we are a few days from another Easter celebration, what makes this one different from the other 20 or 60 you have already celebrated? Each year we change a little, as do the people around us, even though they may be the same, but we can celebrate and enjoy each day if we make it a point to do so. It may be doing the same traditions each year, and celebrating those. It may be starting a new thing and being exited about what that brings. I find getting in the Word opens up new things for me every time, even for stories and verses I’ve read many times before. Earlier this evening, a friend of mine was reading the Easter story from the Jesus Storybook Bible to a group of K-2nd Graders and she started weeping, because that story still has meaning for us decades later. Find and celebrate those things that make each day we are given new and meaningful for you, whether that be Easter Sunday or any other day.
Yours in Christ,
Clark
