Motivation Monday - Hope In Joy and In Sorrow

“THAT I MAY KNOW HIM AND THE POWER OF HIS RESURRECTION AND

MAY SHARE HIS SUFFERINGS, BECOMING LIKE HIM IN HIS DEATH.”

PHILIPPIANS 3:10

Last week I attended a bridal shower celebrating an upcoming wedding with hope and anticipation. I stood with my two friends, one who just become a new Grandma and the other who had just lost her husband tragically. I stood in my own fresh grief between the two, the beautiful and the terrible, having suddenly lost my little brother.

I have been asking myself - how do we all - in our joy and in our sorrow  - become women of the Resurrection?

I think of women so beautifully elevated in Scripture who carried the marks of resurrection even in their most terrifying moments, while they followed Jesus.

They lived in precarious times, amid the upheaval, revolt, and diseases over which they had no control.  Into their midst came Jesus. Jesus touched each one and they were never the same. Many responded by joining His band of disciples, not to see the show, but in response to the grace they received, to serve, to take care of physical needs out of their own funds, and I think, to be the hands and feet of Jesus to the many broken people who brought their own broken lives into His presence. They experienced resurrection power – before the physical resurrection. They have much to teach us about resurrection power in the middle of our own post-pandemic, fear-filled days and chaos.

The women of Easter are the women who stood at the foot of the Cross and afar off while the Romans brutalized our Savior.

Women were first at the tomb and the first to see and talk to Jesus.

In the middle of a dangerous culture, they met Jesus.

They traveled with Jesus.

Each day brought a new understanding of this man who changed their lives.

They were women of the Resurrection.

They walked with hope and confidence, transformed by His love. Imagine the joy each experienced in His presence, watching Him perform miracles, listening to His words, welcoming His unconditional love.

Their personal relationship to Jesus compelled them to walk the pathway to Calvary and refuse to leave until watching their beloved friend, shepherd and rabbi (teacher) take His last breath. No doubt they wept in one another’s arms as Jesus took on Himself the sins of His people, including mine, including yours. I wonder, what gave them the courage to stay with Jesus? Did they turn their heads or cover their eyes as their beloved friend, the very Son of God, suffered the unspeakable treatment of the Roman soldiers? Did they weep on one another’s shoulders? Can you hear their wails? Did they lose hope as the One Who brought them out of darkness slipped away? Did they question His promises, His Words? And then, after the darkness – Resurrection Day!

I want to be a woman of the Resurrection. I want to be able to let things die in order to be resurrected to the life of Christ in me. After following Jesus to His death, and experience in your humanity, the loss of things and people dear to you, also follow Jesus in His life?

I believe in you.  God bless.