“Up from the grave He arose!”

I closed my eyes as I sung the words from the depths of my soul, and I could hear my momma’s off-key voice so clearly that she might as well have been sitting right next to me.

All of those Easter Sundays growing up, she’d belt out that phrase like she meant it. She could hardly sit still, because she believed and lived out the faith and hope of those words every single day. Every year, just like the year before, she’d grab my hand and lift it higher than I felt comfortable, and with every new note, she’d pump our fists together in the air, worshipping with all that she had.

Off-key loud and all.

And now my poor kids sit next to me and they might be praying that none of their friends are watching. It’s Easter Sunday, after all, and I just can’t contain myself.

But then Monday comes. Life gets hard. We’re prone to wander and we get plain weary. The crown of thorns, the cross, the nails, the empty tomb – it all gets blurry and our faith is challenged once again.

It’s a vicious cycle – this place where our faith, hope, and this world meet.

I long for enduring, childlike faith that results in labor that is prompted by love. I have this girl who consistently prays bold prayers and loves like there’s no tomorrow. She may only be nine, but she asks for God’s power to show up like you wouldn’t believe. Her voice has strength behind it, and there’s not a doubt in her mind that God can more than handle what she’s just laid at His feet. Her faith is simple and steadfast, and it causes her to believe and love without reservation.

Sometimes this is me. But other times I’m quick to belt out praises of His victory over sin and death on Sunday morning, and before I get to lunch I’m doubting His plan in the here and now.

The Thessalonians got it.

Paul thanked God for their unwavering faith, and how that strong foundation prompted genuine love in action. He commended them for the way they endured crazy hard times with hope because their eyes were fixed on Jesus.

We too can endure, because we are people of hope.

So before the days and the weeks and this messed up world starts to blur our view of the cross, we can choose to stop and remember:

At the foot of the cross, perfect love is poured out.

At the foot of the cross, forgiveness is available in abundance.

At the foot of the cross, grace is generously given.

At the foot of the cross, the weak are made strong.

At the foot of the cross, death is conquered.

At the foot of the cross, lasting hope is found.

At the foot of the cross, there is freedom and NEW LIFE.

At the foot of the cross, we can lay down the hard of the here and now and find great hope for tomorrow, because we can trust the One who has already secured our victory.

Maybe you’re here today, battle-scarred and weary. On the verge of giving up.

Listen, I’ve been there. I’ve tried living and loving on my own strength. Oh, I’ve tried. And even if I muster up every ounce of energy that I have left, I know by now that I won’t get anywhere, worth anything if I don’t start each day – and live each moment – at the foot of the cross. Friend, Jesus promises to meet you there and supply your every need. He’s a God who’s in the details, and you really can rest in Him.

Girl, don’t quit just yet.

Let’s be people who are remembered for our work produced by faith, our labor prompted by love, and our endurance inspired by our hope in Jesus. Let’s bring light to the darkness, and show the world that we are people of hope.

At His feet,

 

 

*Let’s talk: We’d love to know who’s joining us for our study of 1 & 2 Thessalonians! Introduce yourself in the comments below, and share where you’re from and what you’re looking forward to most as we dive into God’s Word together!

Week 1 Challenge: Look for ways to display faith, hope, and love in your life during this study. Who in your life already displays these qualities and how has it impacted you?

Weekly Reading Plan

Memory Verse

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Looking for our 1st & 2nd Thessalonians study journal? You can find it here. 

 

WhitneyD

WhitneyD

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