He Is Risen

I'm off to spend Easter with family in the Rio Grande Valley. It's a long drive down, and a late night flight back, but it's worth it. I think, as far as holidays go, Thanksgiving is my favorite. It's got the best food, lots of family, an excuse to count your blessings, and no stress of buying presents. But, little compares with the utter joy that overwhelms me at Easter time -- He is risen! The AWE of that statement floods my heart and mind with a profound sense of joy and hope that can hardly be described, measured, and definitely not contained. My roommate said that when asked what Easter is about, one of her first grade students said, "It's about hope, Miss Horton, hope." Isn't that the truth? Because Jesus died, paying the penalty for my wretchedness (and yours!), and more importantly, because he overcame death and rose to live again -- we have hope. We have hope of victory over sin and death, hope of eternal life with Christ in heaven, hope of peace with God. Praise Him! He lives!