Yesterday was one of the most special days of the year, Easter Sunday. Many of us celebrated the resurrection life of Jesus in meaningful church services and gatherings with family and friends. But today is the day AFTER Easter, so what do we do now?
Well, the best part about the day after Easter is that we still have reason to celebrate, because Jesus is still alive! His resurrection was no isolated event in history; it was a catalyst that paved the way for Christians to enjoy a victorious life today and every day.
Indeed, these words from Scripture still ring true for Christians today: “The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by the same Spirit living within you” (Romans 8:11, NLT).
Yes, with Jesus in your heart, life becomes more than just physical existence. Life in Christ is an abundant, fulfilling, victorious life! Jesus proclaimed, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10, NASB).
The Bible has a lot to say about the abundant life God offers. One instance comes in an account of the words God spoke to the Israelites through their leader, Moses. “I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing;” He declared, “therefore choose life” (Deuteronomy 30:19, NKJV).
One of the greatest benefits of a relationship with Jesus is the opportunity to choose life every day. You see, so much about life is determined by our choices. We can choose to be happy or sad. We can choose to believe or doubt. We can choose to expect favor or failure. We can choose to be at peace or under stress. We can choose to be thankful or to complain. We can choose to help or to hurt.
We cannot control the circumstances that happen to us, but we can control our responses to them. Every day, we have the opportunity to choose life and blessing or death and cursing. God wants us to choose life!
To choose life and blessing every day, you must start with your mind by expecting the blessing and favor of God. The book of Proverbs teaches that a man’s thoughts reveal his true nature. “For as he thinks within himself, so he is” (23:7, NASB). Whatever you spend your time thinking about determines your mood, outlook, attitude, and ultimately who you become.
The apostle Paul acknowledged this truth and declared, “Whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy – meditate on these things” (Philippians 4:8). Indeed, we have a choice in what we dwell on, and we should choose life.
It is also critical to choose life with the words you speak. The book of Proverbs explains, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit” (18:21). What type of fruit is your tongue producing? Are you speaking words of faith and victory or words of doubt and defeat? Speak life!
As we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, let us be mindful of the abundant life Christ has made available to us every day. Let’s choose victory. Let’s choose blessing. Let’s choose life!
Reflections 