Easter in My Heart

All Year Long

Many years ago, my Grandma gave me a set of little white coffee mugs, with pastel hearts painted all around. On the front is a painting of a young girl with pigtails in her hair, and a sweet smile on her face. Her hands are folded in front of her chest, as she kneels before the Lord in prayer. Written in black child-like font are the words, “Dear Lord, help me keep Easter in my heart all year.” These mugs are a reminder of a simple and powerful truth. Jesus died not just for one day a year, but for all the days of our life.

The life-changing truth we must always remember and the one thing of utmost importance for us to understand, is the radical and sacrificial love and mercy of Jesus. He was faithful unto death in order to pay for our sins, give us new life, and bring us back to the arms of God. His death and resurrection accomplished for us all that we could never do on our own. With His death, all our striving and constant struggling for perfection were finished. Yes, when Jesus said, "It is finished," He really had accomplished it all! He alone made us right with the Father. That’s a truth for us to keep ever ready on our minds and tucked into our hearts every day, not just each year when Easter rolls around. That powerful truth is meant to greatly impact our lives, our choices, our values, our identity, and our devotion. Jesus' loving sacrifice is the truth that turns Easter-time joy into everyday joy; Easter-time hope turns into hope for eternity.

Gratefully reflect on the sacrifice of the Savior—let it impact your life today, tomorrow, and your eternal future.

John 19:28-30, "Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, 'I am thirsty.' A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. When he had received the drink, Jesus said, ‘It is finished.’ With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit."