Perhaps it is not an unusual thing to have one’s views about holidays and seasons change as we grow older. In this stage of my life, for example, the approach of every Christmas has me looking back into time, with a sense of nostalgia. I think back to memories of my childhood and the seeming simplicity of those times. It is as though the bank of memories is a treasure trove that I can dip into at will and savor when I so desire.
My approach to Easter has changed over the years, too. Easter is not so much a trip into the nostalgia of days gone by (although I’ve had mostly pleasant memories of that season), but it’s more of a look forward into the future. The future I see is not the remainder of my days in this life—however long or brief that span may be. Rather, it is a look into the life beyond this life and the time beyond this time. Easter has me focusing on the bigger picture that God has for each of us and for the universe that we live in.
Easter reminds us that there is more to existence than what we see here and that God is fully present to us in that future. If nothing else, life presents an ever-changing landscape. Places and things change. I’m part of a social media group that focuses on historic Sheboygan, and it’s amazing to me just how much stuff changed in my hometown in just the course of my lifetime, let alone in the lifetimes of people in generations older than me.
People change, too. If we have lived a good number of years we understand that we welcome a steady procession of people into this world and we say goodbye to a steady procession of people out of this world. Eventually, we, ourselves, will shuffle off of life’s stage and the drama of life will continue on without us.
Easter gives us hope. In the message of Jesus’ resurrection we learn that God’s love conquers all barriers, we learn that creation matters, we learn that bodies matter, and we understand that we—as individuals—matter to God. We learn that there is a future for us and that God is there. That future is more grand and glorious than we know.
And because of Easter I look to the future with anticipation. I don’t know exactly all that God has planned for us after life has ended, but I trust it will be wonderful. It’s all part of a process that leads to resurrection for us and God’s creation.
May the coming Easter season give us courage and boldness to face the future.
Your servant in Christ,
Rev. Jim Hoppert
