Volume 80: Rest in Observing

 

Hoppy Easter, Blake!!!

Last week, I listened to a Podcast that talked about how smell is our strongest sense tied to memory. Interesting huh? Smell is not the sense that I think about most often...

For me, I consider myself an observer - there is probably some personality test or enneagram number that could do a better job than my self proclaimed identification. Sometimes I may be in a group and you might think, "Is Morgan miserable??" And 99% of the time, the answer is no... I can get frozen in attempting to take it all in, experiencing gratitude in the moment, but unable to fully process until later on. So without words to articulate, I am simply observing.

Rather than smell, I typically am most drawn to sounds. Sounds of laughter, sounds of praises, sounds of vulnerability, etc. And sight. Sights of families sitting together, sights of smiles, sights of FUN, etc. 

Okay, cool Morgan? Great self evaluation? What does this have to do with EASTER????

As I have now gotten to do Easter on my own, I have come to really appreciate the different services of the season. From Ash Wednesday to Resurrection Sunday, I appreciate the way that the church does not run from the darkness.

If Ash Wednesday didn't remind us of our death to come...

If Maundy Thursday didn't remind us of the betrayal of Jesus...

If Good Friday didn't remind us of the death of Jesus...

Then, Easter Sunday wouldn't hold the same joy of LIFE and RELATIONSHIP and RESURRECTION!!!

It's because of the heaviness and darkness of the days before that we can truly celebrate the joy and defeat of sin and death. 

These services are full of sounds:

The repetition of "Remember you are dust and to dust you shall return," by the ministers.

The silence of walking out of the church building. 

The giving of the Lord's supper - a sound I find really beautiful, overwhelmed that the God of the Universe cares about sharing the meal with every individual. 

The silence while clearing the Communion table, to represent the transition from the Last Supper to the Garden..

The readings of Scriptures of different verses about the night Jesus was betrayed. 

The sound of bells, as a symbol of Jesus getting closer and closer to his death. 

The singing of only the first couple verses of In Christ Alone and Were You There on Good Friday. 

The loud banging of nails being driven into the cross. 

The Pastor praying for his congregation by name during communion.

The laughter and banter before church in a space where families are reunited and brunch is served.

The stomping and screaming of kids above in kids church, learning about the resurrection. 

The joyful singing of the rest of the songs from Good Friday.

The words of hope and life and assurance that death is no longer victorious!

These services are full of sights:

The ashes on everyone's foreheads, as a visible reminder of our death.

The view of everyone squirming uncomfortably, on their knees, praying.

The children laying palm branches at the stage on Palm Sunday. 

The stain glass window covered up with a black sheet, making the room darker on Maundy Thursday. 

The lines of people, waiting for their turn to take part in the Lord's Supper. 

The candles on the table being burned out one by one. 

The congregation sitting in stillness and silence, after the last candle was put under the table, and we were led to pray on our own. 

The crosses at the front of the church, full of nails, representing our sin. 

The pews full of families, repenting together.

The members of the "Patagonia church" wearing their Sunday best, looking sharp!

The sights of the people of the church, one by one, placing flowers on the cross. 

The room full of joy and smiles, with all garage door opens on a beautiful day! 

Amen!

I am thankful for God's attention to detail and the way the Spirit moves in unexpected ways. And that He allows us to experience Him more through our senses. 

By being attune to the things that surround me, I find a deeper, more personal desire to attempt to grasp all that this stretch of 40 days was like for Jesus.

Rather than just a candle being blown out or lights turned off to represent darkness... Jesus experienced real darkness... betrayal from his people, unmatched pain and suffering, and ultimately, death. 

But as we also get to celebrate, thank goodness that was not the end of the story!!! As a quote Adeline shared says, "Easter means the bad thing isn't the last thing." Amen!!

May we find rest in this Easter - in the small details of all that it means and represents. And may the celebration of the resurrection be a part of our daily lives, not just one day out of the year!