The reality of Christ’s resurrection should radically change our perspective on life.  Clearly, the disciples and first followers of Jesus were transformed.  Filled with the Spirit, they proclaimed a message (the Gospel) of life and hope that has reached to us. 

This past week I had an experience of changed perspective that has prompted me to think more deeply about the changed perspective that Easter should produce in my life now.  Our family was able to travel to the South Carolina coast for a vacation the last week of March.  Having grown up on the Oregon coast, I am refreshed by the opportunity to be at the beach.  It brings back good memories.  There is something restorative that I gain by walking (or jogging) along the beach.  The first few days, however, I felt disoriented.  Virtually all of my life, the ocean was always – WEST.  Now, I found myself turned around.  The ocean was on the “wrong” side – it was EAST.  No matter how I tried to think about it, I didn’t “get it” until Thursday morning.  I was up early and out on the beach when I saw the sun RISE.  I don’t know if I’d ever see the sun rise at the beach before.  Finally it clicked in my soul – I was looking EAST. 

Paul wrote the Colossians, “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.  Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things.  For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God” (Col. 3:1-3).  I think grasping this truth is akin to my beach revelation.  For so long, we’ve defined our lives by ‘earthly things.’  It is hard to grasp the new perspective, the heavenly one.  We know it is true from what we read in Scripture, but for so much of our lives we’ve been oriented to view life one way – from an earthly perspective.  But that has all changed with the death and resurrection of Christ.  Let God change your perspective by viewing life from the perspective of Easter. 

Pastor Mark




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