Here comes another Monday

Last night I went to the Brewer game with Melanie. It was a blast. Once again I splurged and bought 8th row seats, right between home plate and the away team's dug out. (I don't think I'll be buying tickets like that many more times this year, I'll be broke if I keep this up). It was Melanie's first major league baseball game so it was worth it. It was a fun night out, something both of us needed greatly. We hung around until it was over (they lost, but it was an exciting game none the less) and then we finally made it home around mid-night. I left her house around 12:30 PM and I was wide awake. I couldn't seem to fall asleep until almost 3 in the morning. I said to myself, "maybe I won't go to church tomorrow, I'll just sleep in later" and I set my alarm for 10:30 instead of 7:00 AM.


Just before 7:00 this morning my step-dad knocked on my door. It was a wake up call. I'm pretty sure I said a few snappy comments in my state of half sleep, but I got up, got dressed, and me and him went to McDonald's for a classy, quick breakfast before the 8 AM church service at his church. (He goes to a Lutheran church while the rest of my family goes to a Church of God church). Anyways, I was a complete zombie. I don't do well on less than six hours of sleep. I am so glad I went to church.

The Pastor reminded us that Jesus is alive! So many times we "remember" Him and wallow in His Crucifixion. When we ask Him into our hearts we pray a thanks of His sacrifice. And of course it's very important that He did that. But Christ overcame death! He is not dead anymore! So why do we act like He is? If Christ hadn't risen, His death would mean nothing. His teachings, nothing. His miracles, nothing.

He then spoke about how when we drive, we look forward. We look back occasionally (hopefully using the mirrors) but we never just do a full body turn around. And if we do, what happens? We swerve. We get off track. And that's exactly how life is. We need to look forward. Sometimes we need to look back, but not for long. Understanding Christ's death is extremely important and it's something we need to look back on and remember - but also - we need to look forward. He's alive. He's NOT dead, He's NOT still on that cross, He's NOT in that tomb. Our relationship with Him needs to be alive as well.

Jesus, You overcame death. You defeated it. Thank you for dying for my sins, and thank You for rising from the dead. I know it's true. I believe that You conquered what we all see as unconquerable. Help me have a very real, very alive, very on-fire passion for You. I want You and I want to follow You. Help me overcome my mountains in my life, my addictions, my sins, and my temptations. You are the King of kings and Lord of lords and You make it possible for me to defeat these challenges. I need You. I love You. Amen.