Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I spent my time in the Presence of the Most High God and my Soul was nourished by His Word. It’s raining..still…but the rain is an answer to my prayers for a parched land so instead of complaining, I’ll give thanks for every drop. Rain does have a way of making things feel dreary though, so as I give thanks for the rain, I do business on my Attitude too. It’s the week after the celebration of the Resurrection and I can’t help but wonder…was it dreary in the days that followed His Resurrection OR was it business as usual the way it is with us today? Did they dress in black to mourn His death while missing the fact that He conquered death, hell, and the grave…a Truth so many miss today? We can’t know for sure on this side of history – all I know is that the Living God used a dreary day to drive home a Message into my Heart. Is that just like Him to use the simplest things to make His Point to His people?

They say that Easter Sunday is the most attended day of the year in the church in America. That’s shocking when you first hear it but not so difficult to understand when you dig a little deeper. People who otherwise wouldn’t be caught dead in church on a Sunday morning somehow make it to church on Easter Sunday. I’m not sure if they show up to appease a loved one or if they’re trying to make themselves feel better about where they are spiritually. I wonder how many claim to be Christians just because they make it to church on Easter Sunday as if they’re renewing a Membership card? I’m pretty sure some are anxious to show off their new Easter “bonnet” while others want to be sure to show off their (once-a-year) well-dressed kids to the world. I wonder how many people understand that they are actually standing on Holy Ground and the aisle is a path to the Alter and not a fashion runway? I wonder how many will take Communion on that one day of the year without giving it a second thought or caring about the condition of their heart before they do? I wonder how many rush out the door after Easter service to be sure they’re not late for family pictures or family dinner because the activities far outweigh the reverence surrounding Resurrection Sunday.

“Back in the day” people felt the earthquake – they saw the sky go dark – they saw the dead raised from the grave – AND they saw the 80-foot temple curtain rip in two like tissue paper when Jesus surrendered on the Cross…and yet, most of them went back to business as usual. Some saw Him raise the dead. Some saw Him heal the sick. Some saw Him walk on water. Some heard Him calm the sea. Some saw Him deliver people from under the influence of the devil. Some saw Him cause the blind to see. Some watched Him die…and yet, most of them went back to business as usual. An eye witness to the Miracles of God one minute…business as usual the next. No, I don’t think people are a whole lot different today than they were back then whether they claim to be Believers or not. They hear, they see, they claim to Believe and they’re flying high one minute as they proclaim Him to be the Master of their life and the next minute it’s as if He never existed (to them) at all.

Some people see and (proclaim to) Believe but if they really did, it wouldn’t be possible to revert back to business as usual. If they really comprehend that HE DIED for them, it would be impossible for them not to LIVE for Him. Some people have mastered the mourning process and all they can see is sadness on the Cross – but Jesus wasn’t a victim – He is a victor! Some people look at death as robbery because they can’t accept the Will of God no matter when or how they die. But Jesus said “No one takes my life from me, but I lay it down instead” and He made a way for all of us to live out Eternity in Heaven…IF we Believe. The Bible says “Narrow is the gate that leads to Heaven” and that’s easier to understand when you see how so many people are living out their Journey in business-as-usual mode instead of a non-stop Celebration of Victory on the Cross! Some people look for the world to tell them how great they are, but when you focus on the Cross all you can think about is hearing Him tell you “Well done, good and faithful servant”. For us, “business as usual” doesn’t exist. This is the Key to Eternity with Him.

It’s a dreary day but my Heart is filled with Joy and Hope all because He gave His life for me. I’ll NEVER forget the price that was paid to set me free. I’ll NEVER get tired of the “Easter” story. I’ll never walk away from the Cross and I’ll NEVER live a Life in business-as-usual mode.

How about you?