Barrett’s Bits
“Resurrection means that the worst thing is never the last thing.” Frederick Buechner
Ever since I ran across this quote from Buechner in Adam Hamilton’s book “Why?
Making Sense of God’s Will” it floats around in my mind constantly. It remains always just on
the edge of my conscious thought. Over the last three weeks it has been the bottom line or take
away point of the sermon series. Many of you are quoting it along as it sums up the sermons
each week. What does it signify for you?
Resurrection is such a wonderful word. Just to hear it gives me hope. To say it speaks a
word of promise. But to live it, to live resurrection now, today, this hour, is to live immersed in
a life of wonder and joy. Resurrection is a word of transformation. It’s not just about life after
death. It’s not just about being raised from the grave. Resurrection is about living today a life
that is transformed, renewed by the power of Jesus Christ living in us through the Holy Spirit. I
recognize that all of that sounds very theological. It may just be a bunch of preacher words. I
hope not. But I think the Gaither’s may have simplified it for us: “Because he lives, I can face
tomorrow; because he lives, all fear is gone; because I know he holds the future, and life is
worthy the living just because he lives.” Resurrection means that it is possible for me and for
you to be transformed more and more, day by day into the likeness of Christ.
The Apostle Paul writes: “For I am convinced that neither death, no life, nor angels, nor
principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor
anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our
Lord.” Paul could say that because he knew that none of these things was the last thing. No
matter the struggle, no matter the pain, no matter the conflict God always has the final word.
And the final word is RESURRECTION!
Resurrection means that the worst thing is never the last thing! Glory to God!