The grave could not hold Him! He is risen, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is risen!
Photo credit: ✿ nicolas_gent ✿ / Foter.com / CC BY-ND
Photo credit: ✿ nicolas_gent ✿ / Foter.com / CC BY-ND
This time of year there seems to arise a controversy concerning the Easter Bunny. Some feel since we have come into the knowledge of and a relationship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, that we should do away with the Easter Bunny. Basically, we should now kill of the bunny.
I grow up in a Christian household and we always celebrated Easter. First thing in the morning we'd awake and see what the Easter Bunny brought us, then we'd have a quick breakfast and put on our new Sunday best and head off to Church to celebrate the Resurrection of Christ. We'd return home and have our Easter dinner with ham and extended family members. For me, it was an exciting day, one that I looked forward to! Having this experience didn't lead me to worship the Easter Bunny, nor did it take away from the power of the Resurrection. I was blessed enough to be able to enjoy marshmallow pink bunnies and yellow chicks, dyed hard-boiled eggs, chocolate bunny rabbits, celebrate Christ and have a Sunday family meal. The Easter Bunny had no impact on my relationship with God. In fact, as I child, I thought that Jesus' resurrection was the reason for the "celebration" and that's how children celebrated, with candy, family and fun. Looking back now, I have a fond childhood memory that will be with me for life. I had Easter because of the Resurrection. I am not saying one should or shouldn't, just sharing my experience. What do you say? Lately I seem to pause whenever I hear someone praying and they ask God to take us higher or to new dimension or to enlarge our territory. I pause because when God does this there is something that is required on our part. We cannot go to the next the way we are, we have to grow. Sometimes God requires us to grow before we get there other times He allows us to grow into it. Either way, we have to grow or else we get left behind or have to return for a do-over.
Growing isn't easy. In some cases it can be traumatic. I know that through Christ we can do all things but we have to first of all desire to grow. It is a choice. God doesn't go against our will and force us to grow although sometimes we may find ourselves in a situation where we have to grow or else. But even in that we still have a choice. Growing is uncomfortable because you begin to outgrow things that you are comfortable in. You outgrow the ability to get by with those "little sins", that attitude, those thoughts, those looks, ignoring that small still voice that tells you don't do it... God no longer allows you to get by with those things that you used to be able to get by with. You outgrow some places. You outgrow some people. You are no longer satisfied where you are. You no longer fit in. You've outgrown that comfort zone that you've become so comfortable in. You look for comfort in things that use to meet the need but now nothing will do. You are growing and experiencing growing pains. When the growing pains hit, know that it's for your good! God is growing you up so He can grow you out, take you higher, take you to a new dimension and enlarge your territory. He knows all about the pains of growing, He knows exactly what you're going through. Even though you may not be able to put it into words, even though others may not understand you and you may not understand yourself, He knows. God is there to hold your hand, wrap you in His arms and carry you if He has to. So when God answers that prayer, "Lord take us to a new dimension, the next level, enlarge..." prepare yourself for the journey. Once you get there you will see it was well worth it! -Abundant Blessings! | AboutThank you for checking out 3rd Day Ministries Fellowship Network Blog! ArchivesCategories |
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