After Darkness, Light.

A week ago, there was no trace of plant life in the woods behind my house. There were no blossoms on the trees, or daffodils pushing through the ground. Then all at once spring emerged, and I was amazed- as I am every year- at how brilliant the green grass appears after months of rest. Each morning I awaken earlier to the first light of dawn and the sound of birds calling back and forth in the songs their Creator gave to them. All of creation is coming back to life, it seems. Even my own weary heart that needs more grace each year to persevere through the dark, cold winter begins to sing a new song.

After winter, spring.

After death, life.

“But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb...”The Sabbath now past, these women who with their own eyes had seen Jesus close His in death, went to cover His broken and lifeless body with spices and ointments.

“They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.” They were perplexed. Who had rolled the heavy stone away? And where was Jesus? When two angels appeared, their confusion turned to fright.

“Why do you seek the living among the dead?” the angels asked. “He is not here, but has risen. Remember how He told you that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise?”

“And they remembered his words.”

After the grave, resurrection.

“Your dead shall live; their bodies shall rise. You who dwell in the dust, awake and sing for joy! For your dew is a dew of light, and the earth will give birth to the dead.” Prophetic words from Isaiah were fulfilled that resurrection morning.

Christ has been raised! Our redemption is secure! We are resurrection people, alive today in a world that is perishing, because He brought our hearts back from the dead. And the hope we have in the finished work of Christ is an anchor for our souls. Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” May we live as His people, walking in the light of fellowship with Him and one another, and all the more as we see the day of His return approaching.

After darkness, Light.

-Natalie Runyon