Monday, April 25, 2011

Easter at Home 2

As I thought about what my follow up posting would be for this Easter weekend, I found myself at a loss. Everything I imagined about celebrating Christ's resurrection in heaven seemed too simplistic and silly. Not to mention theologically questionable!

So I went to the Father and simply asked.

And the impression I was left with was both underwhelming and overwhelming. As I prayed about what the significance of this holiday should be for me this year, I found myself going back to a still small voice, you know the one. The voice spoke to my heart, "We're very busy." Huh? Of course you're busy, rejoicing, singing, celebrating.........no? I didn't understand. So I waited and listened.

They are busy in heaven alright, but I got the distinct impression that their Easter celebration was more of a pause than a festival. I believe the Lord wanted me to think on this. There is a season for everything under heaven, including celebration. And while the remembrance and celebration of Christ's resurrection is worthy of rejoicing and praise from all of us. In heaven-they're getting back to business.

God Almighty, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, heavenly hosts, angels, the cloud of witnesses....whatever names you want to use or however you want to describe those around the throne, "they" are busy! Time does not age them and age does not time them. Heaven does not bend itself to our clock, so who knows how long they celebrate Easter, maybe a moment or maybe years. If their Easter was like ours- months of preparation, working notes, working songs, pulling it together for 3 services, amazing worship, great music, sore throats, come home tired. Andy and I collapsed on the couch, took a breath and gave each other a knowing look. 8 months until Christmas.......and it's back to work. And so it is, on earth and in heaven.  There was a time for their Holy Feast and there was a time for it to end,  a time to celebrate, dance and praise the Risen Lord..........and a time to return to their labor. What are "they" working on?

Oh, friends! Heaven is buzzing with activity! They are not resting on the laurels of Christ's victory on the cross, oh no. They are intently watching, planning and making preparations. Haven't you heard? Christ is coming again. Yes, CHRIST IS COMING AGAIN! And this time it's to RULE and REIGN....... ON EARTH!!!! The celebration ended and all of heaven returned to their posts. Some went back to watching the battles that continue on earth, battles of flesh, battles with darkness. Did they go back to standing guard or shielding His children from fiery darts? Maybe some went back to carefully and consistently watering the seeds the Father has planted, caring for a lost child's journey and walk, tending it as a faithful gardener would. A gardener who has lots of time and lots of patience, patience to care for each seed, to bury it deep and watch it grow, waiting for it to bear fruit. Their work is never done, for seeds were scattered just today!

All of heaven labors again, with expectancy and certainty.
Christ IS coming.

Easter at Home

   Several years ago, I did the "Jesus the One and Only" study and it coincided with Easter. I never felt the same about Good Friday. But, after a friends funeral yesterday I found myself contemplating things I had not yet. When someone passes away, I always try to remember their family on the firsts. First birthdays, first holidays, all the firsts without their loved one. As I was praying over those tender days well in advance, it occurred to me that this will be a year of firsts for Rheagan as well.
   
   This weekend will be Rheagan's first Easter with Jesus. Never before in her life has she SEEN her Risen Lord on the day we celebrate His resurrection. Never before has she seen how HE would choose to be worshipped and celebrated. What must an Easter celebration planned by heavenly hosts be like? No distractions or Saturdays spent frantically gathering meaningless candy or plastic grass. No easter dresses bought on sale, no sandals that rub 'cause you've never worn them, no half eaten chocolate bunnies in foil. What it must be like to celebrate your first Easter with Jesus.... clothed in splendor, in garments of praise! Garments of PRAISE people! To feast at the banquet prepared by His Father? And it makes me wonder.....
  
   Now, I know praise never ceases in heaven, but just as we remember our 2nd birthday or the day we "got saved" or baptized.....don't you know that God Almighty remembers His Sons resurrection with immeasurably more rejoicing. I think back on days of loss or suffering in my own life when the anniversary comes year after  year and even though I've seen restoration or healing, I let my heart ache just a little bit so I don't forget what Christ has done for me. As a momma, I believe my Heavenly Father's heart still stings when he remembers His precious Son, Jesus, and how He had to LEAVE HIM ON THE CROSS that day.....that Good Friday. If you've ever had your baby hurt, you know as much as it is unbearable to see you just can't take your eyes off them. When my babies have been in pain, even something as simple as shots, I've held them, held their little legs or arms as they cried, and forced my eyes to stay open and I know they didn't understand but in my mind I was honoring their pain. I couldn't take it from them, but as their momma I would watch and go through every second with them. I wouldn't let them be alone as they suffered. And that is the inadequate, finite, filthy heart of a mother.
    
   Emmanuel, God with us, was with HIM. And, oh how he honored His pain. He was with Him there and though He couldn't take His pain, He watched every second, every awful awful second as He waited for it to achieve its purpose. And it broke His heart. God's pain and fury blackened the sky, dispatched thunder and tore the veil in honor of His Son's pain. I wonder if it still stings when He remembers that. Even though His Son reigns with Him in Eternity and is seated safely next to Him, enthroned in majesty, does He let His heart ache just a little bit? Even if for no other reason than it makes celebrating the resurrection of His child that much sweeter? I wonder what one might see in heaven today.