April showers bring May flowers. What do May flowers bring? – PILGRIMS !!!
I know it’s an old joke but when I heard it the other day I just had to smile. At this time of year it seems like I see a lot more smiling going on. Maybe I was too busy to notice before, but smiles just seem to be on more and more peoples’ faces lately.
I asked a few of our members what they like best about Spring. With a smile on their faces they gave me answers like: the warming sunshine, getting out in the garden, planting flowers, putting away the snow shovel, washing windows, getting the boat ready, finally planning for a summer vacation!
Spring just seems to bring out a feeling of joy in all of us. We’ve made it through a hard winter; we’re tired of all the gray days that winter brings here in Western New York; and we look forward to getting out of the house and enjoying the wonderful way God brings everything back to life.
As Christians it should not only be the changing of the seasons or the potential for enjoyment which puts a smile on our lips. No, the real reason to celebrate is the fact that WE ARE EASTER PEOPLE. Just like we have been through a hard winter with our weather, we have been through the “gray days” of our lives caused by our sin. We have once again gone to Calvary and witnessed the love God has for you and me as His Son Jesus died for our sins.
After the pain and suffering of that, we waited in anticipation for the dawn to break on Easter morning. AND DID WE SMILE! As a church we smiled BIG and BROAD as we celebrated with words, worship, and song. You know, I can honestly say , I didn’t see one frown on the faces of all the people who worshipped with us on Easter. And we should be happy because our sins were paid for by a loving Savior; we are happy because HE IS RISEN and the tomb is empty; we are happy because, as believers, we, too, will rise; and we are happy BECAUSE WE ARE EASTER PEOPLE. I see Easter people every time I see you and you have been given the best news in the world – CHRIST IS RISEN, HE IS RISEN INDEED! So tell someone!
And the next time you feel the joy of friends and family, the next time you feel joy in just being alive and able to celebrate a new season and a the new life you have in Christ, let those around you know it – JUST SMILE!
May God continue to bless you and those you love as we bask in the glow of the empty tomb.
Continued Peace and Joy,
Pastor Ron