Easter Momentum

Easter Momentum & a Five2Thrive 5k Slide show

Perhaps many of you can hearken back to an era where the pews were full every Sunday. Where Zion was teeming with a variegated demographic of young families, children, grandparents, and the middle-aged. Even though the culture has changed and attending worship is no longer important to members of society at large, Easter is one of those amazing celebrations where people return to the church. Whether the motivation behind attending Easter worship is family, a personal invite, revisiting the traditions of their youth, or even getting “one Sunday in a year,” Easter Sunday is the resurrection of the the “church-going-era” if for only one week. Not only is it the day where we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus from the dead and thus our own resurrection as well, but it is a Sunday that perhaps resurrects our own hopes, imaginations, and vision for the future. I truly believe that Easter Sunday is meant to create momentum in us. For it reminds us that we are resurrected people, but also that we are God’s people, his church. He still has a mission for us. 

Part of our calling as followers of Jesus is to extend the love that comes from God to our neighbors through our activity in the community. The message of Easter tells us that Jesus is living and active. We have a God who values vibrant life, after all, he resurrects that which once was dead. So even if we haven’t been great about showing our love to our neighbors or being active in our community, we still can be. It’s never too late to begin again. 

This is where the 5k supporting mental health at Lincoln High comes in. When I went through the interview process before being called to be your pastor, one of the key outreach areas that leaders at Zion indicated was a desire to be more involved serving Lincoln High. It can be difficult for churches to serve a public school for a variety of reasons. So when the opportunity to partner with another church involved in a “Love Lincoln” event presented itself, we jumped at the opportunity. 

I must admit, as much as I was impressed by the attendance at our Resurrection Festival Service this year, I was even more amazed at our involvement in the Five2Thrive 5k. We had 27 participants from Zion! It was very encouraging to say the least. In addition, there will be further opportunity to be more involved in the planning and logistics next year. 

Thank you to all who came out for the 5k! But thank you to those who also kept it in prayer! Zion’s partnership with this run was necessary for it to be a success. I truly believe that this was part of the Easter momentum I mentioned earlier. In fact it reminds me of something the author of Hebrews writes about: 

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

The race metaphor aside, as followers of Jesus we are meant to be in the place of Easter momentum all year long. Eschewing the sin and the shame and whatever messiness weighs us down by fixing our eyes upon Jesus. It is in Christ that we can keep moving forward as his people and not be daunted. It is in Christ that we can embrace the joy and hope for the future that Easter imbues every day. 

So yes, we ran a literal 5k, but running that race is a part of running the race with endurance that is set before us. A minute part, but yet still a part. What leg of the race are you being called to run? It’s never too late to start, for we worship a living God who destroys the grave and brings new life constantly. May that be our constant posture as well as the Holy Spirit so moves our hearts and our feet. 

In Christ, 

Pastor Dan Hues