I don’t know when the “___________ is everything” phrase started, but I like it. You’ve probably seen it before in a caption like
These shoes are everything.
Beyonce is everything.
This cronut is everything.
#amiright? Also something you’ve probably seen a lot lately. I like that one too.
The everything saying I get. But something I’m not cray about, what really gets my goat, is the misuse of the word literally. Tyler and I crack up when people say things like
I could literally eat a cow. (no you couldn’t)
I’m literally on top of the world. (no you’re not)
He’s literally my other half. (no he isn’t, unless he’s your siamese twin)
I had something else in mind for my third post. I wasn’t going to write about Easter, because I thought there are so many Easter verses and devotionals and song lyrics going around that people won’t want to read more literature about Easter.
Then it hit me: I’m literally what’s wrong with Christians today.
Because Easter is literally the best news the world has heard.
It is literally the best thing I will ever have to write about.
It is literally why one day there will be no more pain, heartbreak, cancer, war, divorce, death, addiction, confusion, homelessness, _________ (fill in the blank with whatever has caused the most sorrow in your life, and Easter literally obliterates it).
It is literally the only reason I will live forever. I will live forever. With Jesus. And my favorite Bible characters. And my Nana. In heaven. #amiright? Yes I am. WOW.
Easter is literally everything.
The fact that I didn’t want to bother anybody with anything more about Easter is kind of lame. It’s why Christians including myself don’t get it sometimes. It’s why we have such a hard time being good sheep. It’s why we think our own plans are more important than making it to church Easter Sunday. It’s why some people only make it to church Easter Sunday.
And Glory Hallelujah, it’s why Jesus did what He did. It’s why He said “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” He knew what He was doing and who He was doing it for. He knew most of us would reject Him over and over again. And He loved us more than anyone is capable of loving us. This love is literally everything.
If what Jesus did for us 2,000 years ago on the cross, that He suffered and died and 3 days later rose from the dead setting every human being free from deserved death in exchange for eternal life doesn’t bring us to our knees, what will?
If it isn’t cause for joy you can’t help but express, what is?
I love Easter. The more I’ve gotten to know the Lord over the past few years, the more I love it. The more I’ve read of His Word, the closer I’ve become to Him. The more I’ve talked to Him and trusted Him with my life, the triumphs and uncertainties alike, the more I’ve known His peace.
There was a time when reveling in the goodness I’ve come to know from believing in the glory that is Easter would’ve been enough for me. I’d be satisfied with that, but only if I’d eaten as many Cadbury Eggs as possible in the month of April before they disappear sometime in May (a tragedy in and of itself if you ask me).
This year is different though. I’m not talking about the Cadbury Eggs - I just got my Easter basket in the mail from my Mom in Tennessee and she sent me like 10, Lord bless her. What I mean is that I won’t be content just celebrating Easter this year. Why not?
There are people in my life who will literally die without the news of Easter. Hell is as real is heaven, don’t be deceived. I don’t want anyone I know to go there. Jesus literally doesn’t either. (II Peter 3:9)
There are people I love dearly who have no peace. Or who live life with false peace, even worse.
If I don’t pick up the phone and call them, they may literally have no one else tell them about the greatest hope their life will ever know.
Jesus taught the disciples many, many things. They, like us, didn’t get it much of the time. But after Jesus died, rose and appeared to them as their Savior, this is what went down:
Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:16-20
Making a phone call to someone in my life who needs the hope of heaven and the love of Jesus doesn’t fulfill the Great Commission. But it’s a good start.
This Easter Sunday I will worship the Lord with all my might. I will reflect and thank Him for what He’s done for my wretched self and all others. I will wear a new Easter outfit, one that literally matches my daughter Penny (so cute #amiright? yes I am #sorrynotsorry). And I will eat Cadbury Eggs like they’re going out of style. Because soon they are.
I will also make a phone call to someone in my life who doesn’t know the Lord. I will not be their savior, but I will tell them about Him. I don’t know if they’ll accept it, but that’s not for me to know. (I Corinthians 3:7)
If you’re a believer, my encouragement is to enjoy Easter to the max, and share it. If you’re an unbeliever, or a believer living like one, oh the joy you’ll have forever if you receive it. And the peace. And love like you’ve never known. It’s not too good to be true, it’s the one truth you can count on. Your greatest need has already been met. You’ll never thirst again.
Easter is literally everything.
And I have some phone calls to make.
