The Great American Dream focuses on how much we can get: how many possessions, how much money, how big a house, how many cars. For many people that dream is nothing more than wishful thinking. The dreams God gives to us are much different, because they lead to reality.
On the first Easter morning, according to Luke's gospel, the women who had been following and supporting Jesus came to Jesus' tomb and found it empty. While they wondered what could have happened, they were surprised and terrified by two men in dazzling white, who said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen." They were then told to remember all that Jesus had told them. What did they do? Did they sit and ponder? Did they go to the synagogue and pray? Did they hold a committee meeting to decide how to deal with this new development? Not!
They were inspired! They went to the eleven disciples and told them all that had happened. I can picture them, excited, elated and breathless from running. Their minds were bursting with the wonder! They rushed in to tell the disciples and the rest of Jesus' followers. Jesus, who had been killed, was alive, and the world has been transformed from that moment.
That is the beginning of the Great Easter Dream Reality, inspired by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This reality made possible, a few years ago, the tearing down of the Berlin Wall. One small church decided to have prayer meetings, which swelled into a movement of over 200,000 people, and the wall came down. The Easter Reality is responsible for projects like Habitat for Humanity, Heifer Project, new churches in Iowa and around the world. Millions of lives and hearts have been changed by the reality that Jesus died and rose again into new life.
The reign of God, exemplified by the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, is not yet here in its promised form. There are still children dying in war, and in our schools. There are still hungry people in countries around the world, and in our community. There are women, men and children dealing with abuse and addictions We face rising sea levels and increasing political anxiety. Into all those situations the Risen Christ goes, and invites us to follow.
Let the Easter Reality fill your mind and heart during this Easter season, and bring to life the possibilities that God gives us. With our Spirit-inspired words and actions we will share the current reality of that ancient affirmation, “Christ is Risen! He is Risen indeed!”
