Easter is a time when we focus on celebrating how Christ defeated death and rose again from the grave in order to restore us to a right relationship with Him. We celebrate that the presence of God is now with the people of God. We celebrate hope. We celebrate restoration. We celebrate redemption. We celebrate that He is making all things new.
Since moving to the Philippines and beginning my work with Consider the Lily, every day that I spend with these girls is a tangible reminder of the redemption that Jesus Christ brings. It is a wonder to know the hurt and pain that they have experienced in their lives and then to see their smiling faces. To see them laughing with their sisters. To sit with them as they read Scripture and share their testimonies with one another and worship God together. To witness them comforting each other when they cry and welcoming each other with open arms. All of these are visible signs that the Spirit of God is living and actively working in our lives, and that His presence is with us always.
Things are not always easy though. We live in the tension of the "now and not yet"—that the Kingdom of God is here, and it is also yet to come. We still deal with the ravages of sin as the devil seeks to steal, kill, and destroy. Every day we all face different challenges, struggles, doubts, and fears. But on days like today, as I look into the beaming eyes of one of the CtL girls and see deep joy in them, I am reminded that Christ is risen and reigns in heaven, that He has given us His Spirit as our Advocate and Comforter, and that one day He will return and restore all things to Himself.
Revelation chapter 21 is a marvelous reminder of this hope:
"And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Look! God's dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away'. He who was seated on the throne said, 'I am making everything new'." (Revelation 21:3-5)
This is the hope that we have: that the veil that once separated the people of God from the presence of God has been torn in two, from top to bottom, for all eternity. (Matthew 27:50-51). That in those days there will be no need for a temple because God will dwell with His people without any barriers.
"I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple" (Revelation 21:22).
Even now, we have direct access to God the Father through Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit, and when Christ returns we will dwell with the Trinity in perfect communion for all eternity. What a marvelous truth to ponder! We can have hope without worry of tomorrow because our Hope is alive and living within us. And He is the only hope that we cling to.
Message of hope from Cindy Rohrer