(*told with permission)
This year Easter holds an extra special meaning for me. This season I feel privileged to witness the miraculous rescue of someone I love. God has proven afresh that nothing can derail His plans for His children.
When Jesus breathed His last on the cross, the hope of His followers died.
In recent years it has been hard to keep hope alive as I witnessed a loved one slip into addiction and felt powerless to prevent it. I watched her die inside little bit every day.
Three days after the death of Christ, God proved to His followers that nothing, not even death, will derail His plans for the people He loves.
Decades after her sink into substance abuse, I have fresh hope. Nothing, not even addiction, will derail God’s plans for her. He is rescuing her once and for all, showing her the way of escape.
As I’ve meditated on the resurrection of Christ and what that means, my mind seems to drift to my friend. This season of recovery has her turning to Scripture for strength and turning to God for hope in her darkest moments. I rejoice with her as she celebrates clean living – day by day, moment by moment.
I have found, like the apostles, in the midst of dark and desperate days, that Hope is not dead. Whether it has been dark for 3 hours, 3 days, 3 years or 3 decades, resurrection Sunday gave hope a name – His name is Jesus.
This Easter celebrate Hope.