I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 1:18-20
“Whew! Done! I’m so glad these past few weeks are behind us!†I was worn out, exhausted, depleted. My husband’s reaction showed that he had similar feelings as he took off his suit coat, loosened his tie, and gave me a look of agreement and understanding. He was definitely ready for a long nap even though it was only noon on Easter Sunday! But the celebratory Easter meal would have to wait. We made sure the children were set up with quiet board games. We checked on the roasting turkey in the oven. A one hour nap would give us needed rest and rejuvenation. All the extra services and activities of the season can certainly wear a person out.
Sound familiar to you, too? This can definitely be a post-Lent and Easter celebration scenario for any pastor-family. I don’t need to list the reasons why this might be true; you know them, you live them.
Do we let our physical exhaustion steal our Easter joy? Do we carry the weight of so many logistics, trying to make everyone else’s Lenten meditations and Easter celebrations just right that we fail to take care of ourselves – maybe physically and spiritually? These can be wonderful times when it just takes a bit of rest and relaxation to recover from the exhaustion. However, at times, we look at ministry opportunities as burdensome obligations. When we allow that to happen, not only do we feel depleted, but resentment and bitterness can linger through the whole season. Satan takes a look at that and laughs because he has succeeded in stealing our Easter joy.
Paul let the Ephesian Christians know that he was praying for them, that their hearts would be enlightened. He prayed that through God’s Word, the Holy Spirit would open their spiritual eyes to see his “incomparably great power†– the power that he has shown in Christ’s resurrection! The same mighty strength that raised Christ from the dead, that forgives all our Lent and Easter season sins, and gives us eternal life, is the same strength he works in our lives to give us rest and hope in him. What a reason to be joyful!
God has given you this Easter joy now and into eternity with all the saints in heaven! You know this, you live this, and you have this hope!
Ask the Lord
Dear Lord and Father, thank you for your mighty power to save! Provide me rest for my body and peace for my soul. Give me eyes of an enlightened heart that I continue to joyfully share the hope of a risen Savior with your people. Amen.
