A note from Kelly King: I don’t know about you, but Easter seems like a long time ago. Yet, we should be Easter people every day. We should celebrate what Christ did on the cross and how He overcame death in His resurrection. Because of this, we share that hope not just one Sunday every year, but every day when we love our neighbors as ourselves. Kasey Ewing reminds us of that in today’s article.
I once asked a co-worker who had recently moved to the area if he had plans for Easter. His family was too far away to visit. He voiced that he didn’t have any plans, and I immediately asked him to come to church with my family. His response? “They would burn me at the stake.” I quickly refuted him and said there would be no flames. He was more than gracious but politely declined. I am persistent and kept inviting him to spend the day with us, but he chose to stay home and work on laundry.
I prayed for him during the day and even dropped off an Easter basket to him, but more importantly, I prayed. As friends, co-workers, and church leaders, we can no longer hide and parade our propaganda of love. The world isn’t buying our system. There is a serious problem that we must face when our lifestyle choices keep non-believers away from church instead of running to the One who heals.
I was a pastor’s kid who got pregnant my freshman year of college. I attended a Baptist college, and as a rebel at heart, I received shame. I understand that church can be the last place a person wants to be. I also know what God’s love and redemption feels like, and I want each person to experience His loving grace.
Easter is big in the church world. Much preparation goes into Easter baskets, Easter dinner, and entertaining. How much time and energy did you spend preparing clothes, baskets, and food?
Now knowing the love and sacrifice He made for each of us, how much of that time was spent praying for the hearts of friends and neighbors that are drifting? Do you have anyone you’re actively praying for? I say this because I have spent so many years preparing for the big day that I didn’t see two feet in front of me.
As Christians, we celebrate Easter, but let’s be careful not to neglect sharing the miracle of the gospel with those He brings into our lives. Remember, it is His kindness that leads us to repentance (Rom. 2:4). Our kindness and love for those around us is what softens the hearts of our neighbors to the gospel.
I ask that we take the same care and preparation to open the door for our neighbors all year long as we take to prepare for Easter each year. Let’s share the daily Easter message with our friends and neighbors.
Charles Spurgeon once said, “If Jesus is precious to you, you will not be able to keep your good news to yourself; you will be whispering it into your child’s ear; you will be telling it to your husband; you will be earnestly imparting it to your friend; without the charms of eloquence you will be more than eloquent; your heart will speak, and your eyes will flail as you talk of his sweet love. Every Christian here is either a missionary or an imposter. Recollect that you are either trying to spread abroad the kingdom of Christ, or else you do not love him at all. It cannot be that there is a high appreciation of Jesus, and a totally silent tongue about him.”
Kasey Ewing is a writer, speaker, and serves alongside her dad at Lowery Institute for Living where they both speak to churches and businesses. She is the author of God Enough, which details the journey of grief and recovery from the death of her son. Kasey vlogs at realtalkwithkasey.org tackling issues such as marriage, family and church life. She is married to Brad and has three boys—Drew, Jake (in heaven), and Jackson.
