Even if it doesn't feel that way... Kurt Nelson

Easter Sunrise, 4.8.12

Mark 16: 1-8

One of the wonders of the social media age,

is that so long as wisdom is less than 140 characters,

it comes to us easily.

Here's a bit, that has come to me often this week 

from Clarence Jordan, a theologian and activist:

“The proof that God raised Jesus from the dead is not the empty tomb, but the full hearts of his transformed disciples. The crowning evidence that he lives is not a vacant grave, but a spirit-filled fellowship; not a rolled-away stone, but a carried-away church.”[i]

It’s a lovely sentiment, which resonates with me,

in many many ways.

The only problem, and it’s a significant one,

is that I don’t always feel spirit-filled or carried away,

or that my heart is full.

Sometimes I’m tired.

Or grumpy.

Or angry or despairing.

Maybe you are too?

And when I am,

the idea that the hope of the resurrection rests in me,

in us,

isn’t joyful.

It’s burdensome.

And thus, even harder to grasp,

grumpy, and tired as I already am.

Speaking of which,

it’s cold out here, isn’t it?

It’s kind of dark still,

wasn’t this supposed to be a sunrise service?

I thought spring was supposed to be coming…

And what’s with all these barren trees,

and brown plants,

Who planned this service?

But of course,

spring is coming.  The sun is rising.

We know it is, even if we can’t yet see it or feel it.

And,

love is working in us,

even if it doesn’t feel that way.

Our hearts are full,

God is working,

Christ is risen.

Even when we’re sad, mad, tired or grumpy.

Thus, we can have faith,

take heart,

and be hopeful.

Because what we are,

is free.

Free to engage with a world which is truly troubled.

Free to love,

as best we can,

as deeply and radically as we can.

Because God is already at work in us.

Love is already at work in us.

This is the hope of the resurrection,

and the proof that it is real.

Because we,

these disheveled, troubled, tired people,

are called forth to something so great,

and not left to do it alone.

Christ is risen.

Spring is coming.

Love is already working.

Even if we don’t always feel it.

---

[i] Clarence Jordan Essential Writings