Easter's challenges

"Peter said, 'I have neither silver nor gold, but what I do have I give you: in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean, rise and walk.'” Act 3:6

The Easter transition that Jesus' disciples were called to make was in many ways the most difficult. To let go of their loss, confusion and disappointment after Jesus' death, and believe that they would live forever in Christ was a great struggle, not unlike other trials recounted in the scripture.

Abraham was ninety nine years old when God called him to be the father of many nations. It must have been overwhelming for him to listen to God and respond in faith. How is it possible for an old man and his ninety year old wife to have a family, especially after they had, no doubt, mourned their failure to produce an heir?

We also read of the frustration of the Jewish people in the desert after being freed from Egyptian slavery. Upset that there was little food and almost no water, they complained to Moses and wondered whether they were not better off in Egypt. How could the desert be a place of promise and hope?

The Easter season presents all of us with the same challenge. The Lord has been raised up and promised us life forever. Can we believe this? Will we? Only when we ask for the grace to let go of our limited view of life in Christ will we be able to embrace the final promise. God wants to live with us forever and has gone before us to prepare a place for all. God's commitment is simple and straightforward. We have only to accept it.

Today, no matter how you feel, ask for the grace to believe in God's Easter promise of life forever.

Which life transitions have been most difficult for you to accept?