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The old adage goes, "If you don't like the weather in (fill in your home area), just wait five minutes and it will change." Those of us who live in New England have experienced a dramatic change in the weather over the last week. On Patriot's Day we had forecasts for high winds, rain, snow and sleet and one week later we were basking and baking in record setting eighty-six degree temperature. What a turn-around! As I've reflected on this swift conversion from dark and dreary periods to bright and brilliant days, I realized that is exactly what the earliest followers of Jesus experienced between Good Friday and Easter. They witnessed their friend, teacher, and master die a cruel death on a cross and hurriedly buried in a borrowed tomb. They must have had doubts and questions about who Jesus really was and if they had been incorrect in believing that He was sent from God, and perhaps had wasted the last three years of their lives following this itinerant preacher and healer. Jesus had died, just like any one of them, their hopes had been dashed and their fears realized. Was there anything left to believe in? These were the dark and dreary thoughts between Friday afternoon and Sunday morning. But a magnificent transformation took place in each of the believer's heart when they heard the message, "He is risen" Words almost too good to believe, in fact, some had to see the resurrected Christ for themselves in order to believe that the news was true. While Christ has conquered death, the ultimate pain and suffering of eternal separation from God, His resurrection did not eradicate all dark and dreary days on Earth. As we see from the book of Acts, Christ's followers suffered severe persecution for their faith, and some died because of their beliefs. So, too, today, we have dark and dreary days when we may have doubts ourselves or be challenged about our faith. But we have the Good News of Easter to cling to, as Bill and Gloria Gaither wrote: "Because He lives, we can face tomorrow." May these words enable us to find the hope for bright and brilliant days in our darkest and dreariest moments. Celebrate this season of Easter with joy for the life we share in Christ Jesus. Pastor Martha Dominy
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