Getting ready
Sometimes it feels like a lot of work to get ready for Easter.
We search for the right clothes, matching bows for our girls and ties for our guys. We buy chocolate bunnies and dye eggs. We gather the family for early church and cook Easter lunch for afterwards.
It can make a girl tired.
But isn’t resurrection really the opposite of work?
The Valley of Dry Bones
Read this crazy vision in the Old Testament in Ezekiel 37:1-14. God tells Ezekiel to look at a pile of dry bones. The bones don’t move. They don’t work. They’re dead.
Until . . .
God sends wind to breathe life into the bones. The bones suddenly take a deep breath. They stand up. And they become a great army.
Can we do that, too?
Take a Deep Breath
As we prepare to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus this month—His return to life after a deep breath from the Father—may we remember to breathe deeper ourselves.
- Breathe in rest
Let’s rest from our striving to make all things perfect. In things that really matters, Jesus has already finished the work. - Breathe in satisfaction
Be content with God’s grace. His gift is enough; there’s nothing more we need add to its perfection. - Breathe in gratitude
Thank God that we don’t have to resurrect ourselves. God takes our stony hearts and brings them to life through the breath of His Spirit.
We may still make preparations for Easter, but not to make it perfect. God has already done that.
It’s not about things we’ve done or are going to do.
It’s about what God has done and who He’s made us to be—alive!
To Do:
- Read Ezekiel 37:1-14.
- Sit quietly and imagine the scene.
- Use your breath to thank God for breathing life into you through the life of Jesus.
How do you prepare for Easter? What do you enjoy most about it? Please share in the comments.
Lisa I just realized at church this morning that Easter is only two weeks away. Thought it was in April this year. God not only breathed into those bones, but oh I’ve been studying this week about Him breathing breath into Adam and we are part of that. Beautiful post.
Easter is sneaking up on us quicker this year, yes? I love, love, love all the stories of breath—so grateful for God breathing into the first man and continuing to breathe life into the rest of us every day of our lives. Thanks for sharing what you’ve been studying too!
You’ve done it again, Lisa! You’ve gone and put your finger on my stubborn tendency to turn everything into a means of “self-salvation.” With the freedom that comes to us through the resurrection, what better holiday to celebrate by taking a deep breath and resting in his finished work.
We’re cut from the same cloth, Michele. ;-) It comes too naturally to us to “do it ourselves”. So I need reminders often that God has already done the work. So grateful that we can relax in His grace together, friend.
Until this morning I had not realized Easter was this close. They mentioned it in service this morning. I have been on leave from work dealing with Matt’s surgeries. I go back Wednesday coming up. Normally the past several years I have done my own Lent. My church does not observe it. Now my focus is just depend uterly what has been done already on the cross for me. Breathe in rest… it is what I have been trying to find time for. Thank you for the reminder to also rest in His grace!
I know your life has been extra crazy lately, Katie. I’m glad your focus has been on resting on Christ’s finished work! May His grace continue to cover you and Matt and bring you both much peace as you walk through this season together. Matt is blessed to have you taking care of him.
Up until a few years ago, I never really celebrated Easter, as in I didn’t really attend any special events surrounding Easter and even our services on Sunday’s weren’t any different. A few years ago, I started reading through different Bible readings for Lent. And last year, I attended a Stations of the Cross at a local church here. That was pretty neat. This year, I think we are going to take communion a little differently this year at our church, so I’m looking forward to that. What I want to remember each year is just to be thankful and so grateful for what Jesus did and try to imagine what he was going through on those specific days. Then when Sunday comes, I want to celebrate because after all, we are celebrating a RISEN king! What is better than that! Kind of rambled in the post, haha, but overall, I’m learning more about Easter every year, and hopefully becoming more thankful for what He has done for me.
I’m like you, Ashley: for years we didn’t really celebrate Easter on a particular day either. But I have to say I’ve really enjoyed the past few years changing that tradition and celebrating it more. Being grateful for Jesus’s work is definitely what it’s all about! Also like you, I hope to be more thankful every year too. I know you have big plans ahead of you for returning to the Philippines in a month’s time; my prayers are with you as you go!
Hi Lisa! I have always loved that ‘dry bones’ story. I can’t imagine the AMAZEMENT of seeing those bodies rise and become fleshed. Yikes!
I get ready for Easter by decorating of course. Eggs/cake etc. I’ve been trying to pray daily, and be quiet as you know. I think it’s in the depth of our souls that we can truly connect to the sacrifice that Jesus made.
Welcome back!
Ceil
Thanks, Ceil. It’s good to be back (although I admit I did love being away on the cruise!). I’ve been trying, too, to be more diligent with my centering prayer practice during Lent. I hope I’ll be able to continue it more consistently even after Easter. It’s good to know that others are doing this as well. You’re a kindred heart. But you’re much better at decorating. I let others do that. :)
Beautiful and perfect in that God’s work is complete, finished. I, too, love the stories in the Bible about the breath of God, His breathing life. You may be my neighbor at A Field of Wild Flowers today and followed you here, but you are my sister in Christ where I know I am welcome too…always.
Praising God in this season of the Resurrection. Hallelujah!
Caring through Christ, ~ linda
Yes, you are always a welcome friend, Linda, and I’m glad that we often visit the same places. You have a wisdom and gentleness that permeates through your words. I’m grateful that we can celebrate the Resurrection together now and forever!
Thank you for your prayers! Our yard sale is this Saturday. Last year, we raised closed to $3,000. So we’re praying for God to at least bless us with that much or more this go around. ????
Lisa,
Breathing in the grace in your words…I am not going to stress about Easter dinner…it does help our daughter is helping me :-)
Glad you’ll have a helper, Dolly. I’m hoping my oldest daughter will be home for Easter weekend this year but we’ll probably go out for dinner. Definitely low-stress that way. :)