Outside at dawn this morning, my heart rejoiced in the Hallelujah Chorus that surrounded me. The song was in bird speak, but the hallelujahs resounded none the less.

My thoughts centered on Matthew 28:1 –

In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulcher.

I thought about the women who hurried to the tomb that morning. The bird hallelujahs probably surrounded them as well, but I doubt they heard them.

Enmeshed in broken dreams and dashed hopes, they were on a mission to complete the ritual of love. After enduring a week of turmoil, and anger, and horror and grief, they were planted firmly in what they thought was reality. Sorrow was real. Death was real. Broken hearts were real. Duty was real. Hope was demolished.

These women, faithfully caring for the One they loved, had no idea what awaited them. No idea.

They walked from their world of darkness and grief and fear straight into the glory of The Resurrection.

Darkness gave way to Light!

Death became Life!

Defeat died in Victory!

Hallelujah!

I, too, get caught in the turmoil and hurt of living. Sometimes, I am fooled into feeling that this world is my reality, and the victory of Christ’s Resurrection seems far removed. I, too, can keep at my duty for the One I love with little joy.

This morning, as I watched night’s darkness fade into Easter morning, my heart swelled with the eternal promise of this day.

I may be living in this Friday world of heartache, but the power and hope of Christ’s resurrection live in me,

and the Sunday of Resurrection is coming. That is my Easter reality.

Hallelujah!

I Corinthians 15:³For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; ⁴and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

Photo – Dawning, Eddy Mims