Easter Elsewhere

It's been a week since Easter, but I still want to share some of what Easter meant in India. To be honest, the day started with a very disappointing feeling. I missed the secular parts of Easter: my mom's basket of candy (yes, even through law school), the Easter family feast after church, the bright formal spring clothing, and the large crowds and energy at church. Perhaps for the first time, I realized how detached my disappoints were from the meaning and purpose of purpose of Easter. I woke up early and droned over to my morning cup of coffee, and, mentally grumbling, switched on some worship music on itunes to try and set my mind and heart. It didn't work because my lack of sincerity prevailed. I went into static mode for the next half hour, insuring that my removed attitude settled and solidified, then got up, threw on a t-shirt and jeans and went out to grab a rick for the long ride to church.

The crowd was larger than usual at church, but the unfamiliar faces and lack of followers of Easter dress protocol cast a cloud over my spirit. I prayed for a change of heart and a revived spirit- I didn't want Easter to mean only this to me now, but I received no immediate response. Frustrated, I missed The Walk- I missed Sevier Heights, I wanted to hear hundreds of college students passionately praising God under the direction of talented worship leaders. I missed that energy, and I felt deprived and alone. Just when I was giving up- my answer came. I heard a familiar sound... the worship team was playing “Mighty to Save” by Hillsong- one of my favorites. As I listened to the words, I crumbled:

Everyone needs compassion / a love that's never failing /
let mercy fall on me.
Everyone needs forgiveness / the kindness of a Savior /
the Hope of Nations

Savior, He can move the mountains / my God is mighty to save /
He is mighty to save
Forever, author of salvation / He rose and conquered the grave /
Jesus conquered the grave

So take me as you find me / all my fears and failures / fill my life again.
I give my life to follow / everything I believe in / now I surrender.

Savior, He can move the mountains / my God is mighty to save /
He is mighty to save
Forever, author of salvation / He rose and conquered the grave /
Jesus conquered the grave

Shine your light and let the whole world see /
singing for the glory of the Risen King.

This- this was Easter! I looked around at the same unfamiliar faces and my perspective changed, as I saw them with their arms raised doing their best to praise a God mighty enough to save each of them. They got it. The point. Jesus died and rose to life again, and, in doing so, He bridged the abominable gap created by sin between God and man- He conquered sin, He conquered death.... for us... and.... we are given a chance each year to celebrate that victory. They didn't need fancy clothes or feasts or trained worship leaders, just a God who is “Mighty to Save.”