Jesus promises a future when everything is made new. But the only real evidence that that is any more than wishful thinking is rooted in history, as solid as a stone rolled away. The Resurrection happening in truth, in real time, is the only evidence that that love in fact outlasts the grave, that what is broken can be mended, and that death and pain do not have the final word.

Not everything will be redeemed in our lifetime but, even now, we see newness breaking in, we see glimpses of the healing to come. We believe that, because “He is risen indeed,” we can know God and our lives can participate in the life of God, that our own biographies and mundane days collide with eternity.

And then:

If Jesus defeated death one morning in Jerusalem, then suddenly every revitalization, every new birth, every repaired relationship, every ascent from despair, every joy after grief, every recovery from addiction, every coral reef regeneration, every achievement of justice, every rediscovery of beauty, every miracle, every found hope becomes a sign of what Jesus did in history and of a promised future where all things will be made new.

The poetic quotes from Updike and Hopkins are a nice touch, too, as are the links to some of Warren’s other pieces.

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There’s an Easter song that I feel I’ve only sung at the church I currently attend.  It’s been around for just over a decade.  And while it doesn’t have the deep roots of some of the old hymns, it still finds a way to resonate deeply.  We sang it yesterday morning.  Something about the simplicity.  Something about the build.  And something about the challenge of waking up.  Here’s an acoustic version of “Christ is Risen” by Matt Maher and Mia Fieldes.