Post-Easter Resurrection Blues -- PERB

Do you suffer from post-Easter resurrection blues? PERB? Do you ever get so excited about the resurrection and how all of our hope hinges on this historical event and the fact that Jesus Christ defeated death to bring about the possibility of eternal life with Christ in heaven -- yet it lingers!  This life -- and all its foibles, lingers.  The battle is over, yet the world continues -- waiting for the second coming of Jesus and the end to the sorrows, sickness and brokenness of this life.

That is why desire can be such a painful and wonderful thing. We desire the fullness of God's redemptive plan to come to fruition! We long for the healing and wholeness that comes from the completing work that Jesus did on the cross -- and yet, we wait.  Do you desire heaven?  Do you long for the things of heaven and full redemption beyond this fallen world? In Philippians 1:23, Paul says, "I'm torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me."  Revelations 21:4 says, "He will wipe every tear from their eyes.  There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."  That sounds marvelous!  Something I long for.

I Thessalonians 4;18 tells us to "comfort one another with these words."  What words?  The hope that is to come -- eternal life in heaven -- raised from the dead into our new and glorified bodies (whoot whoot!).  The Bible also tells us that even creation groans for redemption (Romans 8:22).  Imagine if the best day of our lives on earth can't even come close to our "worst" day ever in heaven? 

To desire -- to long for -- to hope in.  Yes, that is definitely the cure for the post-Resurrection Easter Blues!  If we were totally content with our earthly lives, we would settle here, and this is not the "Promised Land!"  This is "not as good as it gets."  This is a fallen world that is tainted with the effects of sin.  It is good to long for, hope in, desire -- it keeps us aware that there is something more!  Something that we long for -- that is meant to be.  Everlasting life in heaven with God.  Proverbs 13:12 says, "Hope deferred makes the heart sick but a desire fulfilled is a  tree of life." 

Let us not grow weary of hoping!  Let us not lose sight of God's eternal timeline.

What does it mean to be whole?

Today I've been asked to be a guest writer/blogger for Lynn J. Simpson's "Connecting Stories." If you have ever wondered what it means to be whole, please visit this week's post at http://connectingstories.blogspot.com

You can also check out Lynn's writing and photos. Lynn is a writer and photographer with a heart for see people connect.

Blessings!
Beth


Photo by Laura Scheideman

Who Knew?!

Who knew I would be asked to be a guest author on another blog!  Next Wednesday, April 20, I will be writing a post for Lynn J. Simpson's blog, check it out at http://connectingstories.blogspot.com  What shall I write about? 

I saw my OBGYN today.  Perhaps I could write about that.  He asked me if I am having any menopausal symptoms.  When I told him what is going on in my life, he seemed happy and quickly made some notations on his laptop.  He has a perplexed look as I tell him that I am still experiencing chronic pain.  He defers quickly to muscular-skeletal issues.  Whew!  That certainly lets him off the hook! 

The problem is my medical doctor is convinced its not muscular skeletal.  In fact, they have plundered me with a vast array of tests -- x-rays, CT scans, MRIs, blood work, and sordid other tests involving long lengths of hose and a flashlight!  Sigh.  I've been to two family doctors, an internal medicine doctor, a rheumatoid specialist, two OB's, a chiropractor, acupuncturist, massage therapist, physical therapists and a dentist ...although I'm not sure that his involvement lends to an understanding of my pain but he did cause some so I thought I'd throw him in!  

The diagnosis?  A severe case of 'Pass the buck!'  "It's not my area; so not my concern.  Go see someone else."  Isn't it interesting that no one wants to be responsible for another person being in pain?  No one wants to be the one who says, "yes, I'm the one who can help (or not help) you.  And I don't know what to do."  What if it makes us feel incompetent?  Incapable?  Human?!  We'd rather refer to someone else -- pass the buck as it were, so we don't have to face our own lack of knowledge.  We don't know what is wrong and we don't know how to fix it.  And more frighteningly, we might not be able to.  We hate not knowing -- it makes us so painfully aware of our lack of control in a world that is so fraught with ambiguity.

The prescription? "They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the Lord to care for them." Psalms 112:7.  Trust.  Such a simple word to say yet pointless unless put into action.  I choose to trust!  I choose to trust in the God who cares for me.  "Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding."  Trust. 

Undercover Boss

I was at my small group study this morning and we were looking at the concept of how Jesus responded under pressure.  Jesus went through an insanely stressful 24 hour period!  He could have reacted in frustration or fear, yet He chose to trust God.  "You, Lord, give true peace to those who depend on you, because they trust you" Isaiah 26:3.

Jesus can relate to us.  He is able to understand our struggles.  He is fully aware of the scope of our emotions.  He went through some crazy, stressful days when He was here on earth!  It's amazing to me that He set aside His heavenly position and came down into the trenches to see how we live.  To struggle like we struggle.  To feel like we feel.  He experienced humanity fully yet did not sin.  It reminded me of the television series, "Undercover Boss."  This is a show where the head of the company works undercover -- sometimes even disguising himself -- at entry-level jobs in his company.  He isn't allowed to say who he really is.  He is treated like any other guy off the street who gets hired into an entry-level position.  Sometimes he even gets mistreated or fired!  At the end of the show, he meets with those same people and reveals his true identity. 

This inevitably leads to a changed boss.  One who has a greater awareness of how his company works at the grassroots level and a deeper appreciation for the struggles of his employees.  He can sympathize with his people.  He knows what it's like to be in their shoes. 

Wow.  God did that for me!  Jesus gave up His executive position in heaven -- dressed up in skin and entered into life as a human!  Why?  So He could totally relate to me.  So He would know what it's like to be stressed, and hurt, and disappointed, and...  He can empathize -- He gets it!  "Therefore, it was necessary for Jesus to be in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful High Priest before God.  He then could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people.  Since he himself has gone through suffering and temptation, he is able to help us when we are being tempted" Hebrews 2:17-18.

The problem with sticking your head in the sand is it leaves you wide open to get your butt kicked!

First entry -- Blogalicious!

Well.  Here it is!  My first blog entry.  I have been inspired by Lynn J. Simpson to get blogging.  In doing some conference and retreat speaking lately, it is apparent that I have much to say! :-)  And the feedback I am getting is reinforcing the need for the topic of wholeness to be discussed more often.  We need reinforcement!  As people our brains seem to vacillate between velcro and teflon.  Often velcroing to the things that are not helpful in our thoughts -- negative messages, misbeliefs, wounds and regrets.  While we seem to 'teflon' the positives that would be helpful for us to continue thinking about!  Ever had a positive affirmation or had something go well and then quickly dismissed it/"teflonned" it rather than soaking in its truth?

I think we need to reverse those two -- velcro the good and positive and teflon the bad and negative.  Philippians 4:8 says, "Fix your thoughts on what is true and honourable and right.  Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise."

Yeah, that sounds like a good idea.  You are what you think!  Thoughts and behaviours create feelings.  Don't wait to change something until you feel better.  Start by changing what you think about.