Three thoughts came together to form the next series of posts:

1. With the exception of the Orthodox Church which celebrates Easter on April 27 this year, yesterday was the climax of the church calendar for Christians around the world.
2. Many local churches within my realm of experience (non-liturgical and Protestant with Evangelical tendencies) celebrate Easter Sunday and then quickly move on.
3. I am privileged to claim some very thoughtful Christians as my friends. These folks have lived very different lives and have had different experiences.

The three of these thoughts came together rather randomly a couple of weeks ago. I thought it would be interesting to prolong the Easter celebration, at least virtually on the blog. I emailed a handful of friends and asked them this question, “Why does Easter matter to you?” I’m going to post one of their responses to this question each day. I’ve greatly enjoyed reading these short paragraphs. Some have similar ideas about the impact of the resurrection, while others come from a different angle. I hope you enjoy their thoughts even half as much as I have.

First up is my friend Mike Riley. Before Mike and his wife moved to Arizona this summer, they were our outdoors friends: we went canoing, camping, and rock climbing together. Mike is currently studying at Prescott College.

Resurrection. Over the past couple of days, I’ve been wrestling with how Christ’s resurrection defines my life. As I’ve been thinking, the one word that keeps coming back to me is hope. I’m reminded of a sermon by Tony Compolo called “Sunday’s Coming.” In it he says that no matter how bad, awful, or defeated you are on Friday, Sunday is coming. When Sunday comes things are going to be made right. This is the hope the resurrection gives me. No matter how bad or crazy things are going for me, I have the hope that they will eventually be set right.

I am taking an African literature class right now that follows the history of Africa from the pre-colonial tribal period, to imperialism, to apartheid, and beyond. I am continually struck by the injustice that has occurred in that place. Often times an overall attitude of despair overtakes our classroom as we come to grips with what has happened and feel powerless to change things. As a Christian, I know that because Christ has risen, one day he will come and make things right and eliminate the injustice that occurs throughout the world today.

Finally, the resurrection gives me a future hope. One of my favorite worship songs is We will Dance. I think that I want this song sung at my funeral because of the hope and excitement that is communicated through the lyrics. I look forward to the day when I get to dance on the golden streets of heaven, a place with no tears, fears, or injustice.