With Easter behind us, it’s important to continue to reflect on the profound truths we celebrated together over the holiday weekend. On Good Friday, we contemplated the staggering physical and emotional suffering that Jesus endured for each of us on the cross. Then, on Easter Sunday, we rejoiced in His glorious resurrection, that assures us of the forgiveness of sin and eternal life for all who profess Jesus Christ as Lord. This past weekend served as a poignant reminder of why Jesus is worthy of all of our praise and attention, yet it’s easy to become desensitized to this powerful truth as we settle back into the routines of our lives.
“…If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” —Romans 10:9, ESV
As the calendar marches forward from the spring towards the summer, bringing new and different distractions with it, we must remember that every day is a good day to reflect deeply on the message of the Gospel. Scripture has the power to transform our hearts, no matter where we find ourselves. Christ came, He died, and He rose again so that we could have life, and have it abundantly! But how do we do that in reality?
Here are two practical steps we can take to keep the Easter message of The Gospel at the center of our hearts:
Carve Out Time for Jesus
It’s crucial to intentionally set aside time to spend with Jesus. Many of us find ourselves caught up in the whirlwind of daily tasks, allowing our time with Him to dwindle. If you’ve gotten out of the rhythm of making time with the Lord, consider planning it firmly into your schedule. Scripture is clear—if we draw near to God, He will draw near to us (James 4:8).
Dive into the Gospels
Choose a gospel (Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John) and commit to reading through it. If you’re already familiar with the Gospels, our suggestion for a new approach is to select two gospels and compare their accounts of Jesus’s life, ministry, death, and resurrection. Breaking each book into sections can help you soak in and reflect on the scripture and its meaning.
As we move forward in the year, let’s prioritize our focus on the Gospel message: God loved us so much that He sent Jesus, to die on a cross and conquer the grave, so we can each be forgiven of our sins and have eternal life.
If you are looking to refocus your attention on God, check out The Cove’s Personal Spiritual Retreats. You can enjoy comfortable accommodations and delicious meals, while working through a notebook containing journaling pages and study materials to guide you in a time of personal prayer and reflection. Check out our events link to see when you can book your Personal Spiritual Retreat. thecove.org/events/