He Lives! We Live in Him.

This amazing picture captures, for me, the darkness before the resurrection of Christ. Standing in the field is a Princess Warrior for Christ, a woman just like us. The sky is dark and the earth trembles following the death of Jesus. Uncertain, His followers watch for a sign, something, anything, that brings assurance that their Jesus was who He said He was. 

Those present at The Crucifiction couldn't yet see the light behind the darkness. They were lost, confused, and afraid. What if they'd been swindled? What if the religious leaders were right? What if ... ? 

We know the rest of the story, don't we? As depicted in the photo above, light was just behind the darkness waiting to burst forth, bringing hope and healing to hurting people. The light of Christ couldn't be hidden for long. Three days after his burial, He rose from death's clutches and freed us all from its hold. Nothing could extinguish His holy light. Nothing could stop Him from loving us so much He was willing to die a brutal death to save us from our sins, to secure our future in Heaven.

For some of us, right now, our lives feel dark, hopeless. The clouds are rolling in, and the storm is raging. Our swords have grown heavy and we've lost the will to fight. We wonder where our Lord has gone? What if He doesn't come back? What if we've been too sinful for His love? What if ...? 

Forget the "what if's"!

Instead, let us cling to the Easter promise of eternal love and eternal life. Jesus died for us and freed us from all failures past, present, and future. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. We can rest assured His love is forever, and He will calm the storm. Maybe not in our time, or in the way we'd hoped for, but He will do what is best for all His children, for us. 

We just need to keep believing, standing with our sword held high, trusting in our victory. And, precious princesses, we don't have to do it alone. Remember Moses on the hill, the battle below? As long as he kept his arms up and his staff raised, his fighters remained victorious. In time, the weight of his staff became too much for him to manage alone, so Aaron and Hur literally lifted his arms for him! What an amazing picture! If you're too exhausted to continue, call on your sisters, and allow them to help lift your weapon in battle and your voice in praise. 

Ladies, Easter isn't about a bunny, it's about being redeemed. 

Thank you, Jesus for dying for us, thank you for defeating death, and thank you for delivering us from the sin that so easily entangles us.