As we inch closer and closer toward the waning days of the pandemic, I’m recognizing more and more that there are many in the church, and throughout the world who continue to struggle with a pessimistic outlook about these days and the foreseeable future.

It is easy to understand though why such a Pollyanna attitude can arise in us and take over our thoughts of hopefulness or joy or happiness when the past year has been filled with a series of cancellations, disappointments, separation, uncertainty, illness, and death. Sadly, none of us can fast forward through these difficult times, but rest assured, God is up to something good in our lives – even if we have trouble seeing it.

And that’s a good thing, because I’ve never been a glass half empty kind of person anyways, and I tend to be overly optimistic to a fault – or so I’m told by my friends and family. So, seeing as how I’m cursed with this “character flaw,” I’d like to challenge you to instead consider looking upward and forward with me because I think in these Easter days, we are surrounded by an abundance of reasons to be optimistic.

Optimism has a way of blooming a little easier when we can once again see renewed signs of life – spring flowers, green grass, warmer weather, widespread vaccine distribution, and increasing opportunities to break from our separation. And while the optimism that these things offer is no doubt wonderful, I believe we have the reassurance in something more powerful than optimism, and that is hope – a living hope grounded in the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

I am also reminded of this unimaginable hope which the apostle Paul proclaims in his letter to the Ephesians, “Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than we can ask or imagine, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”  ~Eph. 3:20-21

So, what are we to do then?  Well, I propose that we maintain a courageous spirit as we cling to our hope in the risen Christ.  As people of the resurrection, I pray that along our journey we don’t lose faith – faith that God is always and forever with us and for us.  The signs of hope are closer than you think.

People of God, there is hope – sometimes it surrounds us and sometimes we are called and sent to be that hope for others. We are all in this together, and together we can help each other. Whether it is helping someone with food, financial assistance, or simply giving them a phone number to call for help.  Reach out, lend a hand, volunteer.  Be more appreciative, polite, kind.  Check in on one another, don’t take a smile or a wave or a phone call for granted. Be a good neighbor, call someone just to cheer them up, offer to go to the store for someone. One of the best things we can do during this time is also very simple – be the sign of hope for one another.

Christ is risen!  He is risen indeed!  Alleluia!

Pastor Tony

(Reprinted from the May 2021 newsletter)