So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory. Colossians 3:1-4
The Apostle Paul’s wise counsel to the Colossians is to “Think about the things above and not the things on earth.” Here, Paul’s message is one that urges us to celebrate now – however incompletely – what is still a future event. The empty tomb, found by Mary Magdalene, the other woman, Simon Peter, and the “other disciple,” testifies to the fact that resurrection is a present reality. Every believer’s new and redeemed life already exists. At the same time, the church lives in a post-resurrection age that has only just been inaugurated. The “glory” of all those things we “seek above’ is still in the future. What has been “completed” still remains “incomplete.”
Thus, dying with Christ, entering into that tomb with Jesus on Good Friday, is the way we as Christians annually remind ourselves of the “completing” power of the risen Christ.
Certainly we all have “incompletes” in our lives that need completion. Having no idea of what “incompletes’ might be keeping you from growing into the fullness of faith and/or the life God has purposed for you, let me offer a few general questions for you to consider:
· Relational incompletes—do you have unresolved conflicts with someone, or do you have feelings that have not been expressed?
· Integrity incompletes—do you have trouble keeping agreements, or being truthful about people, places, and things?
· Career incompletes – do you continue to work in a job you hate, or do you fail to do the best job you can?
· Financial incompletes—do you have debts that are mounting, and do you have trouble saving as you know you should?
· Physical incompletes – do you eat and drink things that you know are bad for you, and do you continue to put off committing yourself to a healthy lifestyle?
· Personal incompletes – do you avoid dreaming like you once did, especially dreaming that impossible dream that once set you on fire?
· Spiritual incompletes – do you wish to commit 100% to God, yet fail to follow a disciplined walk with Christ through daily prayer, Bible study and intentionally meeting in group fellowship with others?
The Easter event is not just a story to enjoy or a set of doctrines to recite. It is a way of living, a way that encompasses who we are and what we do every day of the week, every week of the year. The open tomb on Easter morning, forces us to face the “incompletes” in our lives. The open tomb assures us of God’s promise to turn all our “incompletes” into “completes.” Easter means we are reborn with a specific mission – to seek out this Christ who once lives again, and to allow this Christ to transform our “incomplete” lives into “completes.”
Remember the Easter event is not just about Jesus; it is about us. Jesus has already claimed his new life; now is our chance.
Remember also, the Easter event is not just some past event that is long over and done; it is about our claiming a future that sees our best days as being always ahead of us.
With that in mind, I certainly have some things I know I need to get done to fully live into Easter! What about you? Let’s get it done!
Rev. Myron F. McCoy