As I look forward to Easter week, I cannot help but briefly look back at what we have been through in the last year. No one could have foreseen the confusion and loneliness of a year that began with such joy. And then I saw it… the correlation of Easter week and the past year.
Today is Palm Sunday, the day the Savior triumphantly entered Jerusalem from Bethany. The streets were lined with people who believed he was the Savior, people who had been healed by Him or witnessed a healing. People who had listened to his sermons and been fed by Him, literally and figuratively. People who loved Him and had hope because of Him. He spread the good news wherever He went to everyone who would listen. That is also how 2020 began, our children were in school getting ready for spring sports and graduation, businesses were thriving and we could see a bright future. Of course we had our problems but they were familiar problems, things we could deal with. And then everything changed, just like it did for the people of Jerusalem.
Suddenly, we were thrown into a place none of us had seen before. The two week lockdown turned into a month, which turned into 2 months, which is, in many cases is still occurring after a year. Businesses started to fail, churches closed and people continued to get sick. Life began to dissolve right before our eyes. Fear was everywhere and nothing made sense and nothing was familiar. It was as though our very foundation was gone. I am sure the disciples felt the same way when the Savior was crucified... how could they not? They had watched in horror as the Savior was taken away, beaten, humiliated and then killed. Nothing would ever be the same. Not for them then and not for us now. But we have one thing in common, something that gave them hope and something that gives us hope.
He is risen!
We can do exactly what the disciples did going from complete despair to unspeakable joy.
There was an adjustment period because they thought their time following the Savior was over when he died, but not so!! He needed them to keep going and use everything He had taught them. Just like us. He chose to die for us, and then He chose to rise from the dead...for us! The work didn’t end the way their enemies thought, it had just begun! He wanted the disciples to keep going just like He wants us to keep going. I am sure those adversarial minions rejoiced when our churches were closed but we have the scriptures, prayer, and the Holy Ghost to be our constant companion. And we keep going…. the disciples kept going, starting a new way of life for the whole world! And because of what they saw and recorded we know His story... we know He lives!
Today I pondered on some helpful verses- in John 14, God tells us to “Be of Good cheer.” With the Savior’s help we can do that. It’s a choice! Instead of fear we can teach ourselves to search for Hope in the midst of a trial.
In John 14:18 it says “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.” By knowing that trials can teach us great principles and inspire growth, we go through them with a different attitude and see a greater purpose. We change… and our choices make us better people not bitter ones!
And finally, John 14: 27 “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” I know because of these scriptures, everything will eventually be ok. We just need to utilize the gift Christ gave us, the atonement and His gift was given for all!
So if you’re feeling down or alone through the changes life always brings, remember, He is there waiting to provide “peace” amongst the storms, He is just waiting for us to ask for His help. 🙏
