A people set apart

My son Chris and I always go to Sunrise service on Easter. It’s our tradition and we love it. No squeezing into overstuffed Easter pews, we relish the fresh outdoors and heart-filled, crispy cool worship. This year was perfect as Fr. Bud soaked us with holy water, scripture and profound thoughts as the sun crested over the trees and broke light on a gorgeous day!

Home again, I slipped into a warm fuzzy blanket and some contemplative time with our Lord, as my son thawed out in the shower. I couldn’t help but ponder, “Really, Lord, why did you come to us? Why did you die on a cross? Why did you share your resurrection?”

Well, after such pondering, Chris I went for a romp to Julian, then over the mountains to Temecula and home again. By 6 p.m. the flu hit me hard and for the next few days I was sicker than a dog and unable to work. I had no voice, chills, fever and an aching body that never could quite get warm. But the nagging questions of Easter morning persisted.

Cozy in what I like to refer to as my fairy princess bed, surrounded by my favorite books and Bible, I sifted my favorite authors for answers. Just as I was dozing off, this proverb hit me deep in my soul: “Listen to this wise advice, follow it closely, for it will do you good, and you can pass it on to others: Trust in the Lord.” Proverbs 22:17-19

Suddenly, all I had been reading formed this lovely tapestry of understanding. Keating had said, in “Manifesting God,” that even our worst experiences teach us something. Rohr had been explaining how everything belongs in this life, and Eldridge had been speaking about being part of a bigger story. So there I had it… everything belongs in life, all we need to do is trust in God.

The mystery of faith, the mystery of life really boils down to trust…with the knowledge that we’re all part of a bigger story. I realized this week that Jesus came so that we would be drawn to this man who revolutionized faith, healed the sick, preached good news to sinners and the destitute. He spent time with the lost ones of Israel and praised the generosity of a poor widow. Jesus was not kingly in his mannerisms. No, he was humble and died a horrific death. Why?

Because he loves us.

He still heals and comforts us with the knowledge that through trusting him we can be at peace, no matter what the circumstance. He endured the worst kind of death so it can’t be said that God doesn’t understand suffering. If we really trust all things to God we can be living in peace as resurrection people. And isn’t that why faith matters anyway?