Joy Unspeakable

The crocus have come early this year. What brightness they bring on cold, windy days! They’re the first flowers to pop up, even when there’s snow on the ground.

Easter is coming early this year, on March 31.  Just like the crocus, it promises hope on dark days!

When I was growing up, we would sing a hymn in church called “I Serve a Risen Savior.” The first verse and chorus declare this:

I serve a risen Savior
  He’s in the world today.
I know that He is living,
  Whatever men may say.
I see His hand of mercy;
  I hear His voice of cheer;
And just the time I need Him
  He’s always near.

He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way.
He lives, He lives, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives?
    He lives within my heart.

I fondly remember this hymn. It’s a song of victory. It tells the wonderful story that Jesus suffered and died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins. Then three days later He rose from the dead! As the angel said to the women who came to the tomb on that first Easter morning,

“He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.”

(Matthew 28:6)

Because Jesus is alive, I can pray and pour out my heart to Him. He hears; He listens. When I was fourteen, I came to believe in Jesus as my Savior. I entrusted my life to Him, and He has never left me. He has given me hope. When my life on this earth ends, I will look forward to living forever with Jesus!

“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.” ~ Jesus

(John 11:25,26)

Spring is my favorite time of year. It reminds me of new life and gives me hope. But heaven will far outshine the beauty I see here. Thank you, Jesus, for Easter!

“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.”

1 Corinthians 2:9