That bright morning sun rose swiftly and vivid light filled the room. I could feel the warmth on my face as I pulled off my facemask; another day in Africa. However, today wasn’t just another day. Today was Easter. Often holidays don’t feel very special on the race. Without your family, it makes the day seem just colorless. If I were in the states, I would be sitting in my striped chair in the living, drinking a large cup of coffee with my favorite creamer cause my mom knows me so well and we would be talking about what time to do the Easter egg hunt. Soon the house would be filled with the kiddos running around, and everyone showing off their new Easter outfits. There would be only dark chocolate candy left in the bowl on the counter cause no one likes those but dad. The boys would be showing off their new suits and I would be displaying my gorgeous new heels. Something delicious would be cooking in the oven and we would all scurry off to church, starving and looking forward to coming home and eating it. It’s almost hard for me to type this cause my heart is swelling with feelings of homesickness. I would give anything to be sharing the experience I just described above, however I am not. I am in Africa. Sharing a room with 12 other girls. Taking bucket showers, hand washing our laundry and drinking instant coffee (I know, it’s sad). Far, far from home I am. Nonetheless, today wasn’t about me. Today was a reminder, which every day should be, of the glorious and remarkable day that changed all of us forever.
We decided to have church and take communion as a group to celebrate our victorious Savior. As the worship music played, I began to pray and asked God to give me a fresh and real picture of the cross. I have read the story 100 times, but I didn’t want it to just be another Easter. I wanted to experience it as if it were the first time I had heard. Almost instantly, I was overwhelmed with His presence. Tears began to stream down my face as I reflected on what He did for me. It has been a long time since I tangibly felt Him so strongly. I took the bread and began to really picture what it meant. Jesus’ body broken for me; His blood shed as the sacrificial atonement for my sins. He absorbed God’s wrath and opened the way for the redemption of all people. Sweet Jesus, who willingly poured out His life for me. What a gift. Humbled by this reality, I pushed all other thoughts out of my mind. Through His superior sacrifice, He brought me complete forgiveness of sin, eternal salvation, a purified conscience and direct access to God! What a gift. The greatest cost, He willingly suffered the consequences to bring me eternal redemption; the paid release of the oppression of my sins.
As I let this all sink into my mind, I become very aware of the weight of my sins. How unclean and unworthy I was. Yet, even in my most sinful state, Jesus still wanted me. No matter how many times I say it, it’s still so hard for me to wrap my mind around. The Perfect Prince left His paradise and died a horrific death just so that He could have me forever. I was in the grip of sin, but His once-for-all sacrifice pulled me out. He made me clean. He made me new. He made me His. His selfless sacrifice is sufficient for ALL of His followers, for ALL of time. It truly is finished.
“For by a single offering, the once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus, He has perfected
for ALL time those who are being sanctified…” –Hebrews 10:14
Although I am far from perfect and will never be sinless on this earth, I can look forward to the moment when I will arrive at the gates of heaven. There will be no tears, no sin, no pain and I will then finally be perfected. At last I will gaze into my Father’s eyes and see Him for all that He is – remarkable beauty, dazzling light, complete brilliance. I am infused with joy and peace as I await my flawless future.
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