Happy Easter!
I love spring. I love the flowers that seem to bloom overnight, the leaves slowly coming out on the trees, and the weather that isn't too hot or too cold. I love all the plant analogies, and I love that Easter comes right in the middle of all this new life.
We have these peonies that I can take zero credit for. This was my biggest surprise when we moved into our current home- these gorgeous pink and white flowers with massive blossoms bloomed that first spring. I was sure I killed them, but the following year they started poking their little heads up from the ground again. Same story, new year. I can see them coming up now, and I couldn't be more thrilled.
They look pretty ridiculous when they first show themselves, like little asparagus. A far cry from what they will become. Just raggedy and awkward looking things. Curious, I looked up how to plant more, and it takes three years for them to blossom. A whole year before you even see anything come out of the ground. That feels like a lot of work, but if I had just started that first year, we'd be seeing peonies now (a generous assumption given my plant skills).
Ok. Enough about my plants.
My point is this: I did nothing.
Lest you think I'm out there caring for, watering, and pruning these flowers, don't kid yourself. All I do is watch them and make bouquets from them.
How much more is Jesus at work in us?
As Easter is now in our rearview mirror and the end of the school year and summer approach, let me remind you: we did nothing.
Romans 5:8 says, "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
Yes, I know we've heard it before. And if I'm honest, it doesn't always stir much in me. The emotions that are closer to the surface are in thinking about all the things I didn't do and then feeling guilty about them. I didn't make Easter special enough. I didn't wake up early to read my Bible. I didn't take more time to be with my kids. I didn't. I didn't. I didn't.
Exactly. We didn't. We did nothing, and Jesus did everything.
He created us. He made the plan of redemption. He carried it out in perfect timing. He went to the cross, defeated death, and rose again. He did it.
And if I'm honest, that makes me feel small... and a little helpless... but also deeply relieved. Maybe that's why Jesus tells us not to worry (Matthew 6). He sees how limited we are and how completely in control He is. Meanwhile, I'm over here worrying about my kids' schooling, their friendships, sports, healthy food, and microplastics, and God's like, "I've got it."
Because at the end of the day, if my kids grow up to love Jesus, get an education, have friends, and stay healthy, I won't be able to say I did that.
God did.
So if Easter cruised by you this year. If it felt overwhelming or exhausting, if church felt rushed, if you forgot to take pictures, if your kids ate way too much candy, God is still at work. Still redeeming. Still resurrecting. Turning what looks dry and empty into something that can produce life.
Life we did nothing to earn or deserve...but life we get to gather up and enjoy.
I'm so grateful He did.
In it with you,
Lizi
P.S. If a friend came to mind while you were reading, feel free to forward this along.