We hear about it every year following the Christmas and New Year holidays. But have you ever thought that Christians could go through a post Easter depression. More often than not, the Holy Week services; Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter are very moving and edifying and people eagerly anticipate those days of worship. More often than not, these services are attended by more people than other Sundays.

It is hard to compete with Easter Sunday. It is the greatest festival of the church year that proclaims the message of Jesus Christ risen from the dead, a message that guarantees our resurrection to eternal life. Because Christ lives we too live. Yet that Easter joy does not end. In fact we have great things to anticipate every day. We have the heavenly life in Christ to anticipate and we also now eagerly anticipate how God will use our new life in Christ before we reach heaven.

The Apostle Paul reminds Christians that there is an answer to post-Easter blues. “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.   Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.   For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.  When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” Colossians 3:1-4

Paul reminds us what we have in Christ now and the anticipation of everlasting life to come. But notice the encouragement; since our sins are hidden and forgiven in Jesus, we also live with eager anticipation, focusing on Christ and his word. We look forward to and anticipate what Christ will do with our lives setting our hearts and minds on the things above, on the will of God and the gift of life that is already ours. Happy Easter!

Keep Christ First!
Pastor Chris Christenson