One thing that I have noticed about myself and others around me is that we all have very firm opinions. These opinions range from favorite foods to favorite sports teams (the Rangers, by the way) and from ways of life to ways of viewing life. Everyone is obsessed with what they think the best thing is and how to "help" others see that this is the best thing, myself definitely included.
But what if this isn't the way that we were intended to live around each other. I remember in elementary and middle school being asked to write persuasive speeches or letters to my parents or friends. I also distinctly remember not being any good at them. I would write what I thought was a decent persuasion, but at the end of it, I learned that I was wrong (or maybe just that my parents were extremely stubborn).
Maybe we weren't supposed to relate to each other by thinking what was in our own personal best interests, but by asking what was in the best interests of everyone involved.
If that's the case, then Easter makes much more sense to me. Jesus came to live among us, not to show us how terrible we were or to show what was best for himself. He came, died, and then lived again so that everyone could do the same.
I know that this is one of those topics that everyone has a very firm opinion of, but I can't help but think about the Easter holiday when thinking about the death of bin Laden. Maybe it's because the holiday was so close in proximity, or maybe it's because we view Easter more as a holiday than a lifestyle. I can't help but think that we (myself included again here) missed something.
Just a week after celebrating Christ's resurrection and new life that comes from that, we (as a nation) are celebrating death. Something there doesn't quite resonate with these two events for me. While I am not saying that I believe bin Laden deserved life or death (that's not for me to decide anyways), I am saying that I question the reaction to such an event from a Christian's perspective.
I'm not saying this to stir the pot or try to make people feel guilty or make people think exactly what I think. I'm saying this because I think that I've missed out on something that happens at Easter for everyone, and maybe you have too. Easter isn't a holiday, it's a lifestyle. If Christ is resurrected, it changes everything. Everyone, regardless of age, race, gender, living conditions, political views, or country of origin has access to life. Not all choose it, but everyone has access.
If you believe this, Easter becomes more than a holiday, and the death of a person does not give reason to celebrate.
So maybe we (or maybe just me) need to celebrate Easter again, just eight days after it actually happened. But this time without death as the focus. This time, Easter will mean that everyone can have life.
Jesus came to bring life, and not just for me, but for the world and everyone in it. It's time that I recognize that life is meant for more people than just me. And maybe, just maybe, the whole church needs this too.
Amen to that, brother!
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