Easter Eggs, Resurrection and Transformation

It was at the Easter Egg Hunt this year when I noticed the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. For many years the congregation that I serve plans an Easter egg hunt for the community. It’s really an outreach to the community and over the years we’ve developed this event to also be a about the resurrection and not all about Easter bunnies, chocolate eggs, and an abundance of great fun. It is also true that this Easter egg hunt would not be possible without the youth of the church to take care of the games, hiding the Easter eggs and supervising the many children filling their Easter baskets with plastic eggs filled with candy. 

As I watched the youth take on this responsibility I saw the transforming power of the Holy Spirit working through these young people with beauty and grace. I remember all of these now teen-age children when they were the fair skinned, towheads that carried their over-sized baskets across the open fields to claim their Easter surprises. Now, they are the ones providing spirited fun for the children who have come after them. It was that day that I could see the power of the resurrection as the young people took such care and grace to provide for a positive and enjoyable experience for children half their age. They were the leaders – the bearers of a sacred story that has become our story to the community in which we live and witness.  In the midst of the present, the resurrection of Jesus Christ continues to bring about a new day – a new creation.

The Easter story is a beautiful story and one that feels good – like a favorite pillow or a worn out pair of sneakers. But that is all it is – a story – if nothing more comes of the promise. It was the Easter egg hunt that the resurrection became real once again. As I watched the youth, once children themselves, take responsibility for our tradition, how I saw them take charge of the age group they had been assigned, and saw how graciously they passed along one of the stories of our ministry to another generation, I witnessed the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. This is resurrection and inherent in the Easter story is the promise for a new tomorrow. 

Prayer:

Spring time and Easter bunnies are not the message of this season, but in the midst of the ordinary, the secular, Spirit God breathes new life with a promise and miracle. Thank you God for the gift of faith that sees what many cannot see, but the faithful and all times and places continue to seek. May I be a seeker too and help me, O God, to know when I have witnessed the resurrection. Amen.