Warm and Fuzzy

I saw an adorable sweater Easter morning. It was a cute, fuzzy bunny. It looked soft enough to touch. (But I respected the woman's personal bubble.)

Easter has become such a warm and fuzzy holiday. Soft pastel colors. Warm Spring welcome. Cuddly bunnies and chicks.

There's really nothing warm and fuzzy about Jesus. I suppose you could rationalize that because God loved us so much he sent Jesus to earth is warm and fuzzy...but God sent Jesus to die for us. And not just die...but die an excruciating, tortuous death. Sure, Jesus returned to life. But the power of his resurrection isn't warm and fuzzy either. Can power that defies death be warm and fuzzy?

What have we done with Easter? Let's get more specific. What have you done with the death and resurrection of Jesus? Have you replaced it with emotions and experiences easier to live with or more convenient to your schedule and your faith? How would you explain Easter to someone who has no idea what it's about? How would you explain your traditions and the reasons behind them?

Please don't consider for a moment that I'm writing this from a holier-than-thou perspective. I'm not suggesting Christians withdraw into cocoons and reject all celebrations that aren't focused on Jesus. I'm simply challenging you to let God invade your heart through Easter...and every day of the calendar. You can pick and choose when to acknowledge God's presence in your life, or you can acknowledge the reality that God is present...in every moment, during each holiday, throughout your entire life.

How are you acknowledging who Jesus is and the reality of God's presence? Not just to yourself, but to others? Not just when it's convenient to you, but consistently, constantly?

We know that we live in God and he lives in us, because he gave us his Spirit. We have seen and can testify that the Father sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. 1 John 4:13-14 (NCV)