"Hope In Monday" by Emily Lane @emilylaney

Photo Credit: Pavel P. (Creative Commons)

Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.  He told them, "This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.  I am going to send you what my Father has promised, but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high." Luke 24:45-49

Yesterday we remembered and celebrated our risen Savior.  We remembered the sacrifice and rejoiced as we remembered how Jesus came to Earth, died on the cross, and rose again on the third day.  What glory, what victory we have in the cross of Jesus.  What confidence, what peace we can embrace in resurrection.  I love the Easter season; I love remembering, reflecting, and rejoicing during this weekend.  I love worshiping with the body of Christ and celebrating our salvation.  Easter brings me to tears when I reflect on the weight magnitude that Easter holds.  Wow, what a savior!

But it’s Monday now.  To me, Monday represents a new season, a new start.  I think about the disciples.  They had some time with Jesus before he commissioned them and ascended to Heaven, but I wonder how they felt when he wasn’t physically with them anymore.  Did they feel afraid again?  Did they wonder what was going to happen?  Did they once again fall into doubt about his promises?  What was this ‘spirit’ he spoke of?  Many scholars believe the ascension happened on a Thursday, but it probably had the feel of a Monday, you know, that ‘ugh-it's-the-beginning-of-the-week-and-I-have-to-go-back-to-work/school/real-life’ feeling?  And the disciples’ “Monday” probably felt pretty hazy and unclear.  The work was just beginning, but what were they supposed to do?  There were 9-10 days between the ascension and Pentecost, and not much is said about how the disciples were feeling.  If I had been there, I probably would have been the most doubtful and most vocal of the bunch!

We all have ‘Mondays’.  Sunday was wonderful; we felt close to God and ready to take on the world for the cause of Christ, but Monday is unclear.  Monday feels lukewarm, or maybe it’s just downright depressing.  Some of you may feel like you’ve been in a ‘Monday’ season for a long time. You aren’t sure what God is up to and you don’t know what to do next. You’re grasping at the promises of scripture and the hope of the resurrection, but in the dark times, it’s hard to see ahead and that hope may feel just out of reach.  It’s hard to really trust when you can’t see what’s ahead.

Sisters, we must cling to the promises of Easter. Monday may feel hopeless or cold, but the resurrection still stands.  Our salvation still stands, and God’s promises still stand.  The message of the cross and the victory of the empty tomb are eternal and perfect. On the dark days and during the unsure seasons, we can cling to the cross.  We can cling to the promises of scripture.  We can cling to Jesus. He is with us.

Emily Laney is a social worker, educator, and justice seeker.  She has worked with vulnerable populations in the United States and abroad and loves to help startup nonprofits reach their goals.  She is a Passion City Church door holder and leads a team of abolitionists at Not for Sale Georgia.   She loves her husband Brent and their rescue pup Biscuit. Sunsets and Sushi make her happy.  

You can connect with Emily on twitter @emilylaney or on her blog www.emilylaney.com 

 Click here to enjoy a video of "Promises" by Sanctus Real