Awe and Joy in Following in His Footsteps

Spring is alive today. The flowers are blooming and the grass is green. The birds have been out in force attacking the feeders. And with spring comes Easter, which now lies right around the corner.

I love the soft beauty of this time of year. At moments I find it to be nearly heavenly. But at the same time, some changes in my life leave me feeling a bit more uncertain about the future. It's a bit of a contrast that gets me thinking. Sometimes I wonder if the carefree happiness of spring should be our default setting, or if perhaps our normal mode should consist of longing and self-denial. Certainly circumstances create both of these things in the lives of most of us.

But how do we harmonize it? How can we be deeply joyful at all times yet perpetually have the proper demeanor of servants and pilgrims?

I think that the answer to this question is found in the holiday that is set within this time of year that excites such happiness as well as longing in me: Easter. After all, at Easter Christ was the ultimate Trailblazer. He procured our eternal joy, security, and purpose when He went to the cross - we are all familiar with that. It should in itself be sufficient inspiration to turn our lives upside down. But there is another lesson in Easter that strikes me. It is the sacrifice of Christ. He went so far as to endure physical torture that I can't even imagine, as well as the ultimate torment of the loss of the one thing that we've been told that apart from which we fall: the presence of the Father, all to accomplish God's perfect purposes for His glory and our good.

Now looking at that example, I realize what dirt I am in and of myself. Thank God that Christ hides my sin from the Father's face! But, oh, can you imagine if we were to follow Christ's example? Then we would find perfect joy in the offices of a servant. We'd understand how glorifying God and enjoying Him merge. And would that not be the most beautiful thing? Well, not quite. What is most beautiful is how He first loved us.

Will life be hard? Yes. Will there be uncertainty? Very likely. Can our lives be joyful and fulfilling, no matter how humble or hard they are? Absolutely, if they are lived because of Him and for His will to be done. Our Savior's cause is ours.