A stone frame fills the picture and we see a sunny woods outside. It seems warm outside and pleasant and we wonder what it must be like to step outside this cave, this tomb. The hole is big enough to step through if we cast off our baggage so what is stopping us?

1 Corinthians 15:58

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

I wanted to reflect on yesterdays thoughts a bit more. Rising from the ashes. This is such a simple image but powerful. Jesus was the light within the darkness. He conquered death purely by His choice to sacrifice Himself for us, doing His Fathers will. But He rose from the dead. He rose from the ashes, the angels rolled back the stone, it cracking in the process.

We too sacrifice our bodies through baptism and then rise from the dead to a new life and a new body. We take on Christ’s journey and follow Him intently, or we are called to do that.

I have been finding that the more I give to God, the more I seem to be given back but not in riches or those type of rewards, but success in action for God.

But here is the problem we face; we are told that what ever we ask in His name it will be given or done. Now I know that we must ask for things that are the will of the Father, but are we scared of stepping out of our comfort zones and really believing we can achieve anything with God’s help?

If you can imagine Jesus rising from the dead, the angels rolling back the stone and Jesus just being afraid to step outside the tomb. This is in effect what is holding us back I think. I too am guilty that I don’t want to step outside my comfort zones, but I must. I must gradually give more and more to God of myself and believe and put that belief into action. Miraculous things can and will happen if we only step outside the tomb to carry on the adventure.

We have been raised from the dead into a new life, Jesus has rolled the stone away and we can see the wonderful view ahead. Have faith, put down your baggage that you hang on to, let go of the things you cling too which do you no good. Put that faith into action – believe in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour.

Dear Father, you sent your Son to pay the price for us. You deemed it was enough and worth the payment and so I ask you shake me and anyone up who wishes to really experience your love through action and through seeing the Holy Spirit really come alive to such a degree that there is no of our old self left and we are all replaced with only your will. Through your Son Jesus Christ.

Amen

with blessings

Graham