This Sunday, we celebrate Easter. I hope you all have a great Easter Sunday with your family and friends. Easter is when we celebrate Christ conquering the grave and, in turn, conquering death. As a result, death has no sting and no longer has power over us as long as we believe in Him. Our sins are forgiven, and our debts have been paid in full as a result of Jesus fulfilling His mission on earth. Just as He said He would, Jesus rose from the grave after He was put to death.
At Easter, I have an even deeper focus on what Christ did for us. He gave His life for us. If Christ was sinless, yet was crucified, then there was absolutely no hope for us until He died for our sins. I hope you celebrated this great news on Easter Sunday with your family and friends in the church of your choice. So many have sacrificed and died for the right for us to have this choice.
This past weekend, as I often do while working around the house and in the yard, I had my earbuds in. After playing “air drums” along with a fast-moving rock and roll song, one of my favorite songs came up on my iPod mix. “The Lighthouse” is one of my all-time favorite gospel songs, and when it reaches the chorus, I get emotional to the point of shedding tears:
“And I thank God for The Lighthouse, I owe my life to Him.
Jesus is The Lighthouse, and from the rocks of sin,
He has shown the light around me, so that I might clearly see.
If it wasn’t for The Lighthouse, where would this ship be?”
To me, this song says it all. How appropriate that it came up on my iPod mix at Easter. There is a message in that, no doubt. Just typing the words of the chorus brings me to the point of tears as I write this column.
When I think about the tremendous sacrifice that Jesus made for us, my thoughts often turn to the many ways that God has been removed from aspects of modern life. And if some have their way, even more areas may lose that connection from a public perspective.
Those who advocate for removing references to God from public spaces often argue for a strict separation between faith and public life. Yet faith has long played a role in our nation’s history and traditions. For many Americans, expressions such as “In God We Trust” reflect that heritage and remain an important part of our country’s identity.
There is no doubt that our nation has been greatly blessed. Many believe those blessings are rooted in the values that have guided generations, including faith, perseverance and a commitment to something greater than ourselves. Throughout history, strong communities and leaders have often been shaped by those principles.
In today’s conversations, much attention is given to what is wrong with America. At times, it can feel like we hear less about what is right. Yet there is much to appreciate about this country, including the freedom to worship as we choose and where we choose.
So at Easter — and throughout the year — let us be thankful for the sacrifice that Jesus made for us and the hope that it represents. And let us also be grateful for the freedoms we enjoy every day.
Again, I hope you have a happy and meaningful Easter with your family and friends.
Randy Brown is Regional Publisher and Executive VP of Specht Newspapers, Inc.