Most years, Easter looks like dressing up nicely and spending half of my day at church. I’d be able to look around the city and see all the people celebrating at parks or in their own front yards. When you’re living in a highly Muslim nation, it looks different.
Sunday service looks like a small gathering in a home with a few people reading through the Resurrection story and breaking bread. In this sacred place, the magnitude of what Jesus has done seems so much greater.
If I’m honest, Easter hasn’t been what it should be to me. It became a tradition rather than a remembrance. But in this place–this city–I remember why Jesus did what he did.
We sat in a house of a Muslim woman who knows about Jesus, but hasn’t chosen to accept him as savior. We sat in the salon chair of a man who chooses to live a lifestyle that doesn’t honor God. We have crossed paths with more people who don’t follow Jesus than of people who do. We stand face-to-face with the reasons why Jesus did what he did. Every person we meet is another reason, another reminder.
“He is not here; he has risen, just as he said.”
Matthew 28:6
Just as he said.
It’s not lost on me. The declaration of God’s character. The assurance we have in Him. His faithfulness so evident. Even in a place where it doesn’t seem so.
I’m so thankful for a God of Sunday’s. Even in this country where it seems like not a lot is happening, I know God is moving. Redefining what Christianity is here isn’t merely telling people about Jesus, but rather showing people Love. It’s not something that happens overnight, it takes time. There’s some waiting involved (sometimes years), but we know the end result is worth it. We’ve heard about setbacks, hiccups, and detours in the process, but even on a painful Friday or dark Saturday, we can hold onto a promised Sunday.
We can believe the Lord will show up and transform hearts because He who promised is faithful. I wonder what life would look like if we lived believing He would do “just as he said.” I think our world just might look a little different.
With a grateful heart,
Sam
