I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms... (NIV)

The summer of 2023 is a very significant summer in my life. It’s the summer I died.

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One day that summer, my husband rushed me to the ER, where, after some hurried tests, it was discovered I was having a heart attack. Some quick and skillful prep and a hasty goodbye to my husband, and I was wheeled away to the cath lab. As a great team tried to repair a small, dissected artery in my heart, another major artery tore. I was lightly sedated but heard the tone as I flat lined. I could hear scrambling in the room, raised voices and feel a sense of panic. I was completely calm; there was no fear. I heard commands for the team to get clear of me so that I could be shocked. I felt the energy in my body as the paddles were discharged in hopes of getting my heart started again...then a second discharge. Then, only darkness.

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When I woke up from this ordeal, I was at peace. My husband was sitting beside my bed and had never left my side since I had come out of the cath lab. We sang praise songs together and talked over the next days about how we should praise him even if things took a turn again – he’s always worthy!  

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While my husband is a treasure to me, and I am so grateful to be his bride, there was only one who was in the “fire” with me: Jesus. He brought me back to life. There are a lot of people who receive the same medical treatment I had that tragically don’t make it. But the power that raised Jesus from the dead was extended to me, and I’m forever grateful.

Okay, all you Christians out there, did you hear what I said? JESUS WAS RAISED FROM THE DEAD! And unlike me, he had been dead for three days! If this doesn't get your heart pounding, you may be in need of a transplant! We get so used to hearing about this truth, that Jesus was raised from the dead, that we don’t let it move us anymore. Some of us long for a more exciting salvation story or some sort of fantastical experience for God to bring us out of, and we forget about the power of the resurrection. Let’s refresh our memories, shall we? Or maybe you’re hearing about this miraculous moment in history for the first time:

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Jesus, having been crucified, was put into a tomb and a large stone was placed to block its entrance. A seal was also placed on the cracks to be sure that his body was not stolen by his disciples, and Roman guards were posted there. Three days after he was killed, women who were his disciples came to care for his body, anointing or rubbing it with aromatic spices or perfumes, as was their custom.  

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Depending on which account you read of the resurrection (Mathew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, John 20), there were some crazy and impossible things that took place at this point. Earthquakes, men who looked like lightning, the stone moved away, the clothes that Jesus’ body was wrapped in now laying in an orderly fashion in his tomb, but his body ISN’T IN THEM ANYMORE, shaking guards who become like dead men…Whew! Get the picture? Something powerful happened at the tomb that day, a power that can raise people from the dead! We even read that at the time of Jesus’ resurrection, other holy people’s tombs broke open and their bodies walked into the city of Jerusalem and were seen by many people (Matt. 27:53).

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Pause – This is real. This happened. Close your eyes and picture what it would’ve been like to be there. What does this look, sound, and feel like? Really, do it; I’ll wait.

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Terrifying, amazing, impossible, heart pounding, truly awesome! What kind of power is this? What is God’s purpose in wielding this power?

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Let me tell you about another important time in my life: Summer 1996. This was the season of my spiritual resurrection. A Bible was gifted to me by my now husband, and the eyes of my heart were opened to the hope that is only found in Jesus. As I read and longed to follow this Jesus of the Scriptures, I found myself changing in ways I really didn’t recognize or understand. Suddenly, that sin that was once so fulfilling left me empty. Now, instead of enjoying my old destructive habits, they left me in tears. I have never been the same. This resurrection was even more powerful than my physical one! This resurrection that only Jesus can bring will last forever!

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This is where the purpose lies – a life that will forever be his, in fellowship with him and living for his glory.

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I am grateful for the team that God used to renew my physical life in the summer of 2023, but how much more will I sing about the God who pulled my soul from the depths of hell to reunite me with the “lover of my soul” back in the summer of 1996.

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Do you hear His loving call? Answer today; there’s no better time than Easter!

For the Believer: Jesus, thank you for the most miraculous and astounding gift of resurrection and love that the world has ever known! I pray it leads me to find a deeper purpose to bring you glory and walk in fellowship with you. Please lead me to the “one more.” Use me to change the world, one person at a time.

For the Seeker: Dear Jesus, I pray I find within my heart the faith to believe that this miracle and purpose is for me too – that it’s for everyone! This is my hope, the resurrection of Jesus, sacrificed for ME, so that I would have spiritual life forever in his loving arms. This is the inheritance awaiting me as his child. Not because of what I’ve done, but because of who I become in Jesus’ presence, surrendered to his purposes.