Why I Feel More this Easter

When “Stay-at-Home” feels like the death of normalcy, find hope in the tomb

How can I find hope in the current situation? How can I be hopeful when I am “stuck” at home? Because of the tomb.

For the most part, I am doing just fine here at home. As an introvert, I lived for the days when I had no place to be or no schedule to follow. To be able to sit and read all day or to do a home project I’ve wanted to try. I am enjoying time by myself (or as much ‘by myself’ as I get when the family is close). I am soaking in all the family time and play we are getting. Yes, even my teen and tween are still ‘playing’ with us in this home time.

Some days I am finding hard moments. Things I wish I could do. I, like many, would like to go out to eat so I don’t have to think about another variety of noodles or rice. I miss the breakfast meetings I would have with myself where I could enjoy a bagel and spend some time researching or writing in the middle of a flowing crowd. And I sometimes ache for the friendships my kiddos are missing.

So how do I hold on to hope in this up and down coaster of a season? Because I know what is coming. I know that when this stay-at-home is lifted, I will be dropping by Jupiter Donuts to grab some yummy treats for my family. Probably more than once in the first week. I know that I will be visiting Coffee Cup Overflowing for my whole milk café mocha while I sit at the table, listening to the bubbling machines and worship music as I type away. I know I can anticipate with joy my first trip to the lumberyard for wood to build my new table, the trip to the garden center for my annuals, and the visits we will make with my parents.

When I think about the hope I have because I know what is coming, I remember the hope I have because the tomb was empty. Some moments we feel like this pandemic has put us in a tomb- a dark, cold place with nothing normal. In some ways, it happened suddenly; it felt like death to normalcy. In this particular Easter season things feel cold, where I can easily let myself slip to a place where I can miss the joy, I can feel the tomb so much more than ever before. From this perspective I can feel more of the emotional side of this story than I ever have. I feel Jesus’s anticipation.

When Jesus went into the tomb, he did so abruptly, yet willingly. With what must have felt like a quick and harsh separation from his friends and followers, from the community, and everything in his ministry, Jesus went from walking among the people to the cold, dark tomb. But even as he did, he knew what would be on the other side. He knew what the joy would be when He walked out of the tomb. With so much anticipation, Jesus willingly stayed in the tomb for three days so that he could celebrate life when it was over.

It is in that I can find and keep hope right now. I know what joy I will find when this corona crisis is over, just like Jesus knew what joy would come after the cross. My hope is safe in Jesus because he, too, anticipated what was to come more than dwelling in the current situation.

My hope goes beyond just this season, though. Because of the anticipation I have in what is to come, I can look to the end of this pandemic, but also the end of this life. I can have hope in all things this side of eternity because of the joy I anticipate when I meet face to face with my God.

If you find yourself feeling like hope is lost right now, or you are having trouble anticipating the joy that will come on the flip side of this crisis or of this life, I am happy to lend you some of mine. Just ask- and I can let you borrow some of the hope I have. Don’t worry, I have plenty because Jesus has an endless supply where you and I can both get more. Reach out if you need it- I will lend you some and bring you with me to meet the One who can supply you with enough hope for all of this life and beyond.