Rise and Shine: Resurrection is Coming!
I’m a huge proponent for counseling. It’s important for us to process our stories and try to understand the patterns we see in them, in order to better understand ourselves. I’m a huge proponent for counseling because it helps me to process the painful moments in my life through a helpful lens, through a lens of grace and understanding, rather than through a harsh or hurtful lens. It’s always best to choose kindness towards ourselves.
I bring up counseling today because recently I had a counseling experience that has shaken me in the best way. We talked about deferring to others, being submissive and following, among (plenty of) other things. And like any quality we possess, they’re often double edged swords, having both a good side and a not so good side. But today’s post is not about that quality for me that either lifts me up or tears me down; today I’d like to reflect on the process of being shaken up, why it’s good for us, and what can happen if we hold on for the ride.
Life has bumps. We get bruised. There’s no way around the inevitable reality that in this life we will have trouble. Conflict arises. Painful moments will happen. And once we accept the reality that life is not always fair or easy, we can begin to press into those moments that shake us up. When we press into those moments we can actually learn resilience, be shaped for the better, learn compassion, grow in patience. I’ve said it before and I can say it here too: pressing in when life gets tough can actually breed immense joy. In the sorrow and suffering of our lives is exactly where joy can be built up and found. From the wastelands of our lives actually flows life.
Life, thus, flows out of the lifeless. Somehow, what once was dead can be brought back to life. I believe in a God who has done just that; He has brought Christ back from the dead. He understands and has experienced resurrection personally. Resurrection. Can you imagine? Being dead, lifeless, not just literally but also spiritually, experientially, psychologically, and somehow, you wake back up. Your eyes are opened. You come back to life!
Life, in its truest form, works that way. We die. We come back to life. That is the narrative of the truest life, the best story, of the One life lived for our sake. So, what happens when we hold on for the ride? Resurrection.
Resurrection is God’s song in this world. It’s His chorus, His hallelujah, His amen. Are you eager to hear that chorus? What if God breathed life back into your dying self? What if you let Him resurrect you? Rise and shine, everyone. JOY comes in the morning!
