Our New Perspective

Tyler Thornton

It might be easy to fall back into our everyday routines as this Easter season draws to a close and lose sight of the significance of what we just celebrated. I get it, life happens! However, we are called to live each day in the eager expectation of the resurrection as Christians. The resurrection is the cornerstone of our faith and the reason behind our hope; it is not just a one-time occurrence that we commemorate once a year!

Have you ever watched one of your favorite movies with someone who is watching it for the first time? I am a terrible person to watch movies with, because all I want to do is tell you how the story will end! Watching with someone who has never seen the movie makes for a whole new viewing experience. You watch their face to see it react to some of your favorite scenes, or watch as their heart drops as the movie takes an unexpected turn, all the while you know what the end holds. 

Well as Christians, we have been given an assurance in how this whole story ends. *Spoiler alert* We know death is defeated and Jesus has won! This gives us hope even in the midst of trials and difficulties of this world. As Paul writes in Romans 8:18, "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us." When you know the end of the story it changes your perspective on everything else. 

Living in the hope of the resurrection means that we have a different perspective on life than those who do not believe. We know that this life is not all there is; there is something greater beyond this world. As Paul writes in Philippians 3:20-21, "But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself."

Living in the hope of the resurrection also means that we have a responsibility to live differently. As followers of Christ, we are called to live lives that reflect the love and grace of our Savior. We are called to love our neighbors, to care for the poor and the marginalized, and to be peacemakers in a world that is full of conflict.

As we go about our daily lives, let us remember the hope that we have in the resurrection. Let us live in a way that reflects that hope and points others to the love and grace of our Savior! And let us look forward with anticipation to the day when we will be raised to new life with Him!