I got an email from a friend this week who ended his correspondence with this statement.
Pete, do me a favor this year and celebrate the resurrection of Christ as if you were there to witness it in person. Be amazed and marvel at it all as if it’s the first time you’ve heard it.
That statement kicked me in the teeth. Like many of you I’m up to my eyeballs in the details and logistics of pulling off a major Easter weekend. I’m distracted, maybe a little stressed and certainly carrying all kind of concerns. But I just want to issue this challenge to all of us as we draw closer to this weekend.
Pastors, I pray you’ll preach the hope of Jesus Christ like never before. Preach the resurrection as if you were there the day it happened and is if this were the last message you are ever going to give!
Worship Leaders, I pray you’ll lead worship with the same awe and amazement as if you just watched the stone roll away. Whether you have lights or no lights, production or no production may they see the wonder and awe in your eyes and voice that you actually believe what it is you’re singing.
Kids Teachers, I pray you look your kids in the eyes and use every bit of passion, energy, and excitement you have to tell them a story that can and will impact their life forever.
Volunteers, I pray you’ll serve, sing, hand out programs, park cars, turn knobs, and make coffee as if eternities were on the line, because they are!
Worshipers, I pray you’ll open your heart and raise your voice and pour out all you have and all you are in honor of a God who has defeated death so you may have life.
I pray this weekend we’ll all drop our cynicism, egos, and agendas and will stand amazed and marvel at the wonder of a God who has set us free from the penalty and the power of sin!
