Awake My Soul & Sing

I am fast-walking in the morning chill, my breath puffing, little clouds rising against the sunrise. Chickadees, cardinals, and bluebirds are trilling and flitting before me. As the sun creeps steadily upward, slowly warming the ground, I notice our neighbors’ mailbox flags fluttering in the wind.

Welcome, says one.

Happy Easter, another.

Others are wordless: fluffy cottontails hopping about; pastel Easter eggs tucked in a white basket.

I soon round the bend and spot an uncommon flag.

A cartoonish, short-legged dog, running happily, ears blowing back in the breeze. It reads:

Live like someone left the gate open.

My heart sings at this unorthodox, delightful reminder.

God has opened paradise. Through Christ, the gate has been flung open for those whom God beckons.

Am I living as though this is true?

Am I running happily toward eternity with Christ Jesus in mind?

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Perhaps this Easter week, it is time to stop spending your cash and attention on countless hours of shopping for another springtime dress, bright tie, or shiny shoes.

Instead of spiffing up your outward appearance, making your entire family matchy-matchy and photo-ready, even as your eyebrows remain furrowed while you attempt to set your dining room magazine-pretty in preparation for Easter dinner, step away.

Step away and think for a moment.

What am I doing to ready my soul for Easter?

Forget what this upside-down world is up to: frenzied purchases of chocolates, jellybeans, hams, and stuffed toys. Yes, those traditions have their place and are often fun, and delicious, but they will never heal the desperate ache of your soul.

If Jesus is not your Risen Savior, King, and Treasured Friend, it will remain impossible to celebrate his death, burial, and resurrection worshipfully, in a spirit of awe and wonder.

Candy, tablecloths, and fine clothing matter not if your heart is stuffed with this world. Partake like a pagan and watch your soul wither. You will inevitably grow tired and moody, scrolling, scheming, and shopping for the next event or holiday, while mentally rehashing Sunday’s irritation toward that one maddening dinner guest who dared cross you, ruining your entire Easter parade.

Or perhaps you are a genuine Christian who has forgotten the truth of God’s kindness in redeeming your soul from Satan’s clutches. Maybe your spirit has grown dry, brittle, and cold. When this happens, and it can, there is only one remedy.

Stoke the fire of faith, poking and fanning and urging the tiny flames to life until they burn white hot. Confess your sins to the Lord, in genuine repentance, and God will lavishly forgive you.

May I suggest renewing your mind by dwelling in the pages of Scripture? The Bible is God’s voice, the manner he has chosen to speak to us, so graciously condescending to our humanity. We are frail children of Adam, a highly rebellious people who have wandered so far east of Eden.

Remember, each one of us, at some point, has wandered. It is what we do next that matters.

Will you or I stumble on in blatant pride, further hardening our hearts? Or will we remember and return to the finished work of Jesus and in humility run to our Savior?

I encourage you to take some unhurried time to pause and see who Jesus is.

Scripture speaks beautifully, describing our Merciful Savior:

The Way, the Truth, and the Life, The Good Shepherd, True Vine, Prince of Peace, Lamb of God, Bread of Life, King of Glory, Chief Cornerstone, Word of God, Light of the World, Holy One, Redeemer, Alpha and Omega, Image of God, Son of the Most High, Name Above All Names, Ruler of the Kings of the Earth, Bright Morning Star, Our Protector, Great High Priest, Immanuel, Holy and True, Founder and Perfecter of our Faith, The Door.

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The soul is a funny thing, isn’t it? Invisible, untouchable, yet fully steering one’s mind, affections, and steps.

Do not grieve and quench the Holy Spirit if he favors you by choosing to rustle a fresh breeze into your soul; summoning your dead bones to life as you bow low in reverence to Christ.

Hebrews 7:25 is stunning; hope-filled:

Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.

Remember, the gate has been opened.

Christ, our Savior, is fully alive.

Awake my soul and sing!

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Crown Him With Many Crowns

(My favorite Easter hymn)