Welcome to the Easter weekend, 2020. What an unusual and strange world we live in right now. I hope you found my few thoughts on living in turbulent times helpful and encouraging.
Easter is an important date on the yearly calendar, and especially for Christians who take this time to reflect on the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. It reminds us of the good news that death does not have the last word.
It’s a three day reflection of three important days that took place over 2,000 years ago.
- Friday – a day of rejection, betrayal, suffering, pain and death.
- Saturday – a day of waiting, wondering, disappointment, doubts and questions.
- Sunday – a day of new life, as well as surprising joy and celebration.
This three day experience becomes a metaphor or motif, not just for Jesus, but for our own lives. I am sure you have had a few Fridays along the way – times of suffering and pain when you wondered where God was. Then there are the Saturdays – seasons of disappointment, waiting, doubts and questions. Then there are the wonderful Sundays of surprising joy, answered prayer, and new things coming to birth.
It is also a pattern for life in general. Right now our world is in a Friday/Saturday of pain, suffering, and wondering about this coronavirus pandemic. There is a lot of uncertainty and plenty of unanswered questions. But we will get through this. There will be life on the other side of this global crisis. Sunday is coming.
Over this Easter weekend, I pray that you take some personal time to reflect on the meaning of all of this, as well as to spend time with family and friends, as appropriate. Physical distancing (a better term than ‘social distancing’) does not mean relational distancing. Let’s keep connected.
Here are some resources and insights around the Easter theme that you might find helpful over this weekend:
- A podcast message called ‘Stories Around the Cross – The Supper‘. Also available in Apple Music and Spotify podcasts. Please note that there may be a slight delay in the audio starting, depending on your internet speed.
- A podcast message called ‘Stories Around the Cross – The Denial‘. Also available in Apple Music and Spotify podcasts.
- A podcast message called ‘Thank God It’s Friday‘. Also available in Apple Music and Spotify podcasts.
- Some BLOG posts:”
I hope you enjoy this weekend and have some meaningful moments, even in your time of isolation.
Hi Pastor Mark,
Appreciate your online message as usual, especially part 2 and 3 writings on
living is turbulent times. Finding Clarity and as a Navigator seeking opportunities
as my wife often says “make do”.
Personally I look at current pandemic as a Furnace and revealer. Our
relationships with others, businesses, our health and living habits and the list
goes on.
One morning listening to Charles Swindol he shared Philippians 4: 11-13 for this
times we are in to be content and through our lord who gives me strength.
Wishing you and family a peaceful, restful Easter,
Mark Leong
Thanks for your comments, Mark. These sure are unusual times. Need to be alert and reflective, that’s for sure. Enjoy the rest of the weekend! Mark