Looking for the Living Among the Dead

This past weekend was spent in good ole western PA, where we lived once upon a time...nearly five years ago now. Some of the highlights were: almost a four hour coffee time at Panera with my dear friend Jamie, two egg-hunts for the kiddos, beautiful weather, and eating mom's sour cherry pie. To be sure, there really is no place like home... But home is where God has you living and learning for the time being. And I learned alot over the weekend.

We needed to walk through our rental house there (once known as "home" to us and our three babies). It's hard seeing someone else fill your home with their furniture, their pictures, and their family. I left feeling sad at the loss of all the history in the house, what moments might have been made there had we stayed. But I also felt the gladness of God leading us out... God did not keep us there, and for good reason.

On Sunday at my parents' church, my husband and I did something we haven't had the opportunity to do for about 6-7 years now...sing special music! I have to say, although I was glad to serve through music, I didn't feel any fulfillment in it. I'm quite content in my row at church, singing among the congregation. But I know we served the church there and made my parents' day.

Something the pastor said there yesterday really struck a chord with me. He, of course was preaching on the resurrection. His first point was "Why do you seek the living among the dead?" He referred to the way we, as fleshly people, seek life in the things of this world...dead things. There is no life to be had in wealth, or success, or homes, etc. Yet we continue pursuing these things as if all our happiness was somehow wrapped up in obtaining them. (These are my words, not his.) Our only life comes from the living God...and He is not found "among the dead." Quite a concept I'm still pondering. How often I seek the living among the dead by not seeking Christ, but only the gifts He can give me. I am so prone to wander. The ladies at the tomb had forgotten what Jesus had said about himself...the angel had to remind them. I need to return to Scripture to remind my heart what God says about Himself...and let my heart be cheered by it, just as Mary was on Resurrection day. And look what she did in return! She was so full of joy, she ran and told all that she had seen to the disciples. What a reflection of how the good news of Jesus' resurrection can change a woman's countenance and words! I need this today. I need to look back at what Jesus said about himself in the Scriptures and bask in the power He has to change the dead into the living.