When I entered Adult & Teen Challenge, a 12-month rehabilitation program, I got there just when spring was at its full potential. Everything was green and beautiful but as time went on the seasons changed. There had been a tree that I sat under with a nice cool shade and after a while, the leaves fell off and I saw it bare, almost looking dead and it was not a good feeling. I would pass by the tree and think of the times I sat under it, but I knew that this was not forever. I knew the time would come when I would be able to sit under the tree again and have new experiences in a new season. The days would be longer, the weather would be uncertain, sometimes it would rain, sometimes it’d be cold, and a few teases of warmth would come by. The first blooms of spring would appear and the grass mowing from the neighbors would begin. But above all that, we are reminded that life has a rhythm of death followed by renewal. It is very interesting that Easter comes at just the right time to think about this truth, as we celebrate the most powerful story of resurrection and hope: Jesus Christ conquering death by rising from the grave.
“He is not here; he has risen, just as he said.” – Matthew 28:6
For us, Easter isn’t just a date on the calendar; it’s a heartbeat of hope for every soul longing for renewal. Just as trees and leaves come out after a long winter and flowers break through the frost, we in a way are also invited into new life through Christ, not just during this season but all year round. Jesus’ resurrection is more than a seasonal or historical moment, it’s a promise that no season of darkness is final.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” – 2 Corinthians 5:17
Let’s just imagine a person who had been through years of hardship. Has lost their job, faced health challenges, and nearly gave up on their faith. But one Easter Sunday, sitting quietly at the back of the church, they heard the story of Christ’s resurrection in a way that felt personal. This person began to believe that just as Jesus rose, their story wasn’t over either. Sometime later that person is working, thriving, and giving back to their community proving that the resurrection power isn’t just for the ancient world. It’s alive today.
In this season, whether you’re surrounded by gorgeous, blooming gardens or still stuck in your own winter, remember: Easter declares that hope lives. Spring reminds us that life returns. And Jesus shows us that even after the darkest days, something beautiful can rise.