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Our friend Sherry wrote:

I was sitting in my Easter Service listening to a beautiful message from my pastor. As he was talking, he referenced Psalm 23. Immediately, I thought of when my husband died. Psalm 23 is the “go-to” verse for funerals.

Then, my pastor continued to add that in order for us to experience an Easter Sunday, we must first go through a Good Friday.

He reminded us that all of the Bible heroes have this story, so why would we, modern believers, think that our testimony would be different.

It is the tension between our Good Friday and Easter Sunday that draws us to Christ and allows us to lean on Him for restoration and resolution.

As I sat there, I inventoried all the decisions I have made lately. I thought about how, for the last several years, I have had the terrible tension of wanting and waiting for my Easter Sunday.

I read Sherry’s words and they hit me. The tension is real, isn’t it? The waiting part, the in-between times; those times really stretch us. We can’t see the end – similar to the disciples. All they saw was the horrific death on the cross. They couldn’t comprehend this amazing resurrection. Their trust in God and His timing was being tested.

Proverb 3:5 ESV immediately came to my mind:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.

But it isn’t the promise of just something better that makes us long for Easter Sunday. It is the promise of Christ conquering death! He had the victory! It is bigger than our own understanding. We focus on this earth and our wants and desires. But it is much larger than that. This was a reminder that death doesn’t have the final say. Death isn’t the end!

The disciples hid in fear and disbelief during the days between Friday and Sunday. John 20:9 reminds us they didn’t understand the prophecies from the Old Testament that said Messiah must rise from the dead. I find myself right there sometimes – I have trouble believing Scripture. I don’t understand how my pain and loss can lead to victory. So I keep myself closed off from others, hoping to just get through the pain alone.

Over and over in the passages about the resurrection we read, “Do not be afraid…” The angel says it. Christ says it. And I definitely need to hear it. Just like Jesus’s closest friends needed to hear it.

Sherry’s story continued:

So, as I sat in church and listened to this message, I was thankful God sent someone to remind me I am experiencing my Good Friday. I am experiencing the tension of waiting for my Easter Sunday.

God wants this time – the time in between – as His time. He wants to sharpen me, prune me, love me, and sustain me, all for His purpose.

My pastor reminded me that God’s plan may include pain and suffering, but pain and suffering are not without purpose.

So as I wait for my Easter Sunday, I am in Scripture and in prayer, drawing as close to the Savior as I can. The tension of the waiting is painful at times. I am reminded God has a purpose for me and I just have to push through this waiting period and then I will be celebrating my restoration, my Easter Sunday.

Dear Lord, it is in the waiting that I call out to You and ask for relief. It is during these times that I realize I must rely on You. As I walk through this valley, Lord, help me see Your guiding hand as I trust You fully. Amen