Sunday, April 12, 2020

Resurrection and Life


The past month has brought significant change into the lives of almost everyone across the whole world.   From lockdowns to masks to drive by testing centers to fear to social distancing to online church and so much more.  While PNG, thus far, has been spared with case numbers, the fear and uncertainty that comes with lockdowns and reports of what is happening across the world is very real.  

Despite the uncertainty of tomorrow, I am thankful that there are some things that never change.  Thankful for love - which is able to permeate lockdowns and isolation through the internet - enabling us to share our lives with those we love - no matter how far away we are. Thankful for kindness - which is seen in humanity all over the world with the numerous acts that people are doing to help their neighbor.  Thankful for the service of men and women, all over the world, in health care settings who go to work each day to help those suffering from physical ailments, knowing they are potentially risking their lives to help another find life.  

I am so thankful for the certainty of the Cross.  Today, in PNG, it is Easter Sunday.  With the lockdown and lack of technology in most churches, there are few churches that celebrated Palm Sunday last week, but that doesn't change that it was the day we remember that Jesus road into Jerusalem, willingly, knowing that he was close to giving His life, so others might live.  Jesus did, what many are doing today, but in a bigger scope.  Jesus walked into the Hospital full of Coronavirus patients, he walked into the hurting and suffering of Humanity, and gave His life - so that, even though we die on this earth, there is a resurrection coming for each of us.  Just as there was for him today - Easter Sunday. 
 
John 11:25 says "I am the resurrection and the life.  The one who believes in me will live, even though they die."  

I don't know about you, but this Pandemic has certainly made me pause and ask if I am really ready to die, if my time comes?  We have <20 152="" 1="" 350="" 9="" a="" all="" almost="" and="" are="" around="" as="" be="" bed="" but="" case="" come="" comes="" country="" day="" die="" e="" each="" earth="" end.="" f="" font="" for="" going="" has="" have="" hospital="" i="" if="" imported="" in="" is="" isn="" it.="" it="" keep="" last="" my="" nbsp="" no="" none.="" of="" one="" only="" our="" over="" people.="" people="" png="" praying="" province="" serve="" t="" that="" the="" there="" this="" those="" to="" truly="" ur="" ventilators="" walking="" way="" who="" will="">
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Those who are sick, who are bleeding, who are coughing, who are short of breath, who are malnourished, they all come because they need healing and our doors are open.  They come for physical healing, come looking for hope when no one else can give it, come for answers that other hospitals and health centers can't provide.  It is the physical ailment that often brings them up, but they often leave with Spiritual healing and peace.  This Spiritual Healing and peace, in a world of uncertainty, is why I keep going to the Hospital.  To tell the people in PNG about the Man who laid down His life on a Cross over 2020 years ago and rose again, so we can have Life.  Life not just on this Earth, but in the one to come. 

Thank you for making it possible for me to be here.