Hallelujah!

Easter morning dresses my granddaughters in new fashioned frocks and my grandsons in their Sunday best making their mothers smile and the sons uncomfortable. Once again, hearts young and old thrill to the Easter story told in word and song.

Easter means resurrection and life richer than spring colors fresh on meadow flowers. Promise, hope, and eternity future seem entwined with the reality of sins forgiven and wounded hearts made whole.

Jesus is alive and living! He is coming back for us, and Heaven really is a place that we are destined to occupy. At least that is the excitement that Easter is supposed to bring—the celebrating of Christ’s resurrection and our hope.

Huh?

But not everyone experiences that jubilant Hallelujah of Easter morning. Earth bound and culture dictated, many view Easter as the advent of spring with baskets of candy eggs. These things are good and can brighten a day, but without the reality of the resurrection story, Easter will give you a Huh? rather than a Hallelujah.

Here are some ideas and links for making a difference this Easter:

• Who do you know, work with, and live among that needs hope? Will you invite him or her to Easter service?

• Get your small group, youth group, or Simple Church involved in one of these Easter outreach ideas.

• Gather some friends together and go Easter Caroling to shut-ins and elderly people in your community. Sing songs that speak of the resurrection. Hand out Easter candy or cookies while caroling.

• Involve your children, grandchildren, or neighborhood kids in an Easter craft afternoon. Here are some simple craft ideas from Ministry to Children, Apples 4 the Teacher, and Hot Cinnamon Sticks.

• Set aside some time for prayer. Don’t discount this unseen avenue for making a difference in the lives of those around you. Prayer is the unseen force that softens hearts and ignites all the outward activity that impacts people for Jesus.

You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone. You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the spirit of God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts (2 Corinthians 3: 2, 3 NIV).

How can you influence someone for eternity by including them in your Easter celebration? Don’t miss this opportunity to build your spiritual legacy!

Now it’s your turn: Really! What difference are you going to make in someone’s life this Easter? Share your plans with us in the comment section below.

Susan Gaddis, Helping you build your spiritual legacy

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