Living in Light of the Resurrection
By: Sean Scott
I miss my church family. Gathering on Sunday morning for worship and Sunday school might as well be like a cold glass of water so desired while stuck in an endless desert. Maybe that is a little grim, but this extrovert is hitting his wall more often in the last two weeks. Things at home really are great. We have a 13-month-old who has her legs fully under her and desires to know every nook and cranny of our home. Julie, my wife, is working from home while caring for Lily, and I am spending more time with them. But it doesn’t make missing our routines and time of worship any less necessary.
We want to spend some time thinking about “Living in Light of the Resurrection” in different areas of life, particularly as we sit in the midst of this pandemic.
Last week I solicited responses from a few students in our ministry to see how things are going at home. Being isolated and stuck at home can make that challenging, yet the resurrection remains true and powerful. God doesn’t change even though our circumstances change constantly.
This week, take a look at some of the parent responses to the same questions about how they’re doing at home. Maybe you resonate with some of the things they’re saying? More than likely, you are in the same boat as another family at Redeemer. I think living in light of the resurrection at home is a timely thing to reflect on right now.
Here are the responses from some parents:
1. How have things changed at home, if at all, due to these social distancing measures and “normal” life being disrupted?
“It hasn’t been the big changes that push us as much as the cumulative effect of the little ones. For example, the simple things like getting groceries has become an time consuming endeavor filled with fear and trembling as we hope to avoid contamination. Having our kids at home while they do school remotely, for the most part, has been an easy transition since we spent so many years home schooling them. Yet, more bodies in the house yields more opportunities for conflict.”
“I’ve realized through all of this that I value seeing people throughout my week, especially the ones at school that I’m not as close with because I don’t really communicate with them outside of school. I have also struggled with patience, as I tend to get very frustrated very quickly.”
“Things are quieter in some ways. There's no guessing about who will be home each night for dinner and who might be gone: we are all here! Work has continued for me and in some ways requires more time and energy. But I also feel thankful that I can continue, and while zoom is not the same as real life, It has been great to continue to see the faces of all my students! I also love the extra time we get to spend as a family. We do get on each other's nerves a little more!”
“The kids classes are now all online, my husband is working from home. We are less busy in some ways and there is more time for rest and walks, longer meals and more family devotions. However, I feel more tired and much more discombobulated than normal. I feel like I am trying to redeem the time and succeeding some days and not so much many days. We miss our people especially our church family!!”
2. What have you learned about yourself during this time? Some examples might be: struggling with things like showing grace, being patient, or learning about how much you valued being in the routine of being with people regularly, etc…
“Using Zoom has been more difficult than I had expected to connect with people. For me, Zoom has also been associated with work and getting business done. Transitioning to try to emotionally connect with people on the platform is surprising dissatisfying. It’s just not the same as being together in person.
I’m feeling more anxious about our financial security (or lack thereof) than about getting sick or even death. For example, if I die, I’ve taken steps to make sure my family will be financially okay. However, if I live and have no money, or worse no toilet paper, where do I run?!?! Oh yeah, there’s a good answer to question that I keep forgetting about.”
“I have learned that I take on more than I should as a general rule. If I'm quarantined and still struggling to finish all the things on my plate, I shouldn't be so surprised that I'm always running behind in non-quarantine life! I'm also realizing how much I value face to face interaction. There's no substitute for being with a person in real life and being able to laugh with them or talk and see body language, in addition to just their face.”
“This pandemic has revealed fears and uncovered idols in my heart and how crucial it is for me to keep my eyes focused on Christ. I have also learned how much I took for granted such as gathering as a church, hugs from friends and family and even my inner introvert would love a huge party right about now. I also have realized I need to think through what I spend my time on and what’s really important, in the here and now but also when things get back to normal.”
3. We just celebrated Easter a couple of weeks ago. How could the resurrection change how we live and interact with our family more than we are used to?
“Trusting and finding hope in the resurrection and all that it means for me today takes intentionality, that is, if I don’t take the time and energy to set my mind on it, it will have little effect on my day to day. So, thanks for reminder! The resurrection means I must be free with giving grace to those around me because the resurrection has brought infinite grace to me. The resurrection means I can let go my fear/anxiety of losing my health, my money, my home, or even my life because the resurrection brings the guarantee of a new home, with a new body and a new incorruptible life. Last but not least, the resurrection means that I can actually know the Creator of the universe as my Father and friend and meet with Him every day without fear, shame, or guilt because the resurrection has cast my sin, his judgement, and my past far far away. Now that's pretty amazing. Maybe the better question is, what hasn’t changed because of the resurrection?!?!
“The fact that Jesus defeated death through his death and resurrection, and brought life to us means that he can change even my hard heart when I am frustrated or struggling. So he can give me the ability to live graciously with my family, and he can give them the power to forgive me when I mess up.”
“During this time, the battle in my mind between my fears (job uncertainties and economic outlook and health)and the faithful promises of God has been like a yo-yo in my brain. It has made the reality that the good news of the gospel truly does change everything for me. When I doubt or fear or become anxious, I am doubting God’s goodness and His abounding love for me. All of my thoughts must be brought captive to Christ. And When I fail to preach the gospel to myself regularly, I don’t live that grace out towards others but instead those fears and anxieties pour out towards my family instead of the grace, love and peace that is Christ. This battle has always been there, but during this time I feel llike its constant and intense.”