April 16, 2022
EAster Sunrise
When I see the first tinges of color in the sky early in the morning, I hurry to find a place where I can pause and watch the sunrise unfold. It’s selfish, really, because when I watch a sunrise it brings up so many positive emotions in my heart. It gives me joy just because of the pure beauty of it. Some mornings I feel like God has painted the sky just for me. It gives me hope, knowing that a new day with new possibilities lies before me, and it leads me to pray, asking God to help me follow his will in every moment. Above all it gives me peace; at that dawning moment it seems that all is right with the world. It’s a quiet moment of being still and knowing that God is God and he is in control of that day, and all days. I wonder what Mary Magdalene felt when she walked down the path to the garden tomb at sunrise on the first Easter morning. As it was dawning and she was approaching the tomb I am sure she had a heart full of grief and sadness because her Jesus was gone and she had watched the gruesome end. A heavy heart, not much hope, but in loving and faithful service, she went to anoint his body. But God was about to show her the next part of his plan. In the book of Matthew it says that there was an earthquake and an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled back the stone and sat on it. Imagine her feelings as all this unfolded! Immediately the angel told her not to be afraid. He knew what was on her questioning heart and reassured her, saying “I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples.” (Matthew 28:5-7) Then came the emotions that match mine today. Joy—she ran (not walked) with JOY as she went to tell her friends. And I am sure her heart was filled with hope again, even as some fear still lingered. I imagine that a new peace that passes understanding began to fill her soul, as it truly “dawned on her” that this was not the end. It was the beginning, not just of a new day, but of a new era where this good news must be shared. What a special sunrise moment! What about you? Will you choose to wake with the dawn on Easter—having your own personal “sunrise service” or attending one in your town? Will you look at sunrises differently and seek God for sunrise moments where you can be still with him? Dear Lord, thank you for sunrises that give us joy and hope, knowing that you have risen indeed! Help us to share this good news with others, passing on hope and joy to their hearts, too. Amen.
By Jeannie Blocher, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Jeannie and her husband Roy Blocher founded Body & Soul® in 1981 and she currently serves as the Director of Spiritual Impact, leading a dedicated team of Instructors in creating spiritual resources for the ministry. Jeannie loves spending time with family, which now includes 9 grandchildren, spread over three states. She loves encouraging both family and Body & Soul® friends to grow in faith & fitness!