4 Days that Changed the World | Dawning of a New Day | 1 Thess. 4:13-18 | Easter Sunday

Sometimes when we gather for Easter, we sing songs about life and resurrection, and it can feel a little bit like we're telling an incomplete story.  We all know that, in the end, it's coming, SOMEDAY, but TODAY there's some stings, aren't there?  Life is awe inspiring, and it can be awful.  Life is painful, and it's powerful.  Life can be holy in one moment and harrowing in the next.   That's the life that we live, isn't it?  We have these moments of bliss and then we have the reality of brokenness.

If you've ever been on a vacation and if you're anything like me, I'm a time guy.  I always want to know how many days until the vacation, how many days are we going to be on vacation, and then once we hit halfway point on the vacation. . . . .anybody with me?  I start doing a time clock in my mind of 'this is great but it's going to end.'  Halfway point, the day is great.  Next day, it clicks over and 'oh no, it's ending!'  The beauty of being there is sort of overshadowed by the reality that life's coming again.  It's temporary.  I think so much of our lives carry with it that in the shadows we hear this voice saying, "It's good, but it's temporary."  It's good, but eventually you'll have to say good-bye.  It's beautiful, but eventually you'll breathe your last breath...