The Day After Easter by John Avant

I like the day after Easter better than Easter. 

As a pastor, I was always frustrated by Easter. I was glad to preach to so many people.  But no matter what I did or said, most of them really weren’t interested in what the resurrection could really mean to their lives! 

If they were, we would’ve seen them again, worshiping and serving the Lord with us before Christmas! 

Think about it. If God really came to earth, suffered, and died to take away our sins, and rose from the dead to fill us with the power of the same spirit who created the universe, then it would be impossible for it to only result in a once or twice a year church visit.  

The resurrection is radical! If Jesus doesn’t change our life, He may not be in our life!

I love the day after Easter. That’s when you find out if the resurrection power of Jesus is real in your life. Because if He has really transformed you, you can’t wait to do something with Him!  You can’t wait to join Him in advancing His Kingdom.  

Can you imagine what it was like on that first Monday after Easter? Do you think any of the disciples were bored?  Do you think life went back to the way it was the week before Easter? Do you think any of them could have even imagined Easter just becoming another holiday?

They had encountered the risen Lord! Life would never be the same. Joy, purpose and mission filled their entire being.

How are you doing on this day after Easter?

I understand.  

The reality tsunami hits us today. Easter is over and we still have bills to pay, crying kids, problems at work, and a myriad of other stuff to deal with. 

Face that wave head on today, knowing that it will not overwhelm you. Not when the risen Christ is with you! Pray with the apostle Paul, “I want to know Christ, and the power of His resurrection!” Philippians 3:10

Last week I spoke at a prayer conference in Casa Grande, Arizona. Pastor Phil Calvert, a former missionary to Ecuador, has been used by God to start a movement. Churches across the world are praying in a unique way: drive through prayer encounters.  This movement opens the door wide to pray and share with people who don’t know the Lord. Check out the link at the end of the article.

When speaking at the conference, Pastor Phil said, “ I don’t want to end my life bunting down the third baseline! I want to swing for the fence until I meet Jesus!”

I love that so much. I hope I can bat right behind Phil and swing away myself! How about you?

What could you do on this day after Easter to swing for the fence?

• Share the gospel with someone today. 

• Decide to pray for three lost people you know until God saves them  

• Ask the Lord to take you on mission with Him somewhere in the world in the next year.

• Call one person today and ask them to hold you accountable to live like Jesus is truly alive!

And there could be one thousand other things. 

Just don’t live like today is no big deal. Jesus is alive. So are you. If He lives in you, anything is possible!  Swing for the fence!

Happy Day after Easter!

And check out the drive through prayer encounter movement:  https://www.drivethruprayer.com/