do we hope for now?

There is a quality tv series that we like to watch that closes every show with a picture of the producer's logo and a voice saying, "That's done." That seems to reflect a feeling that follows the celebration of Easter. There is a sort of driving trajectory of major events in the church year from Advent in November through Easter in late March or April. During Advent we begin to prepare for that most amazing of historical events, the coming of God in human form. Then we have Christmas where we celebrate the birth itself, the a new year, then the season of Lent when we follow the public ministry of God's son and prepare for the remembrance of the fact that the world killed him. Finally, on the third day, we rejoice at the fact that death could not stop him and the grave couldn't hold him. We cry out and sing, "He lives!"

Easter in our particular worship was wonderful But for a day or two afterward I seemed to have the post-Easter blues. (It might be related to the post-nasal drip I have from my first cold in years.) But Easter is so glorious I think we tend to ask, "Okay, what now?" But that is where the book of Acts kicks in. About the second day I was asking that question, or addressing that feeling, I heard..."Are you kidding me? You think that was the final act? Look at what we've been doing since then." In John's gospel it is in the post-resurrection appearance that Jesus breathes the Holy Spirit into the disciples. Luke places that action fifty days later on the day known as Pentecost. It is God the son who saved us. But it is God the Holy Spirit that lives within us. And God always works on us best from the inside out.

So happy post-Easter! For God is writing the 29th chapter of the Book of Acts through us. So let us rejoice that we get to play a part in the eternal drama.