It’s Easter. Yes it’s Easter. Right from my bed I can feel that the atmosphere is not the same, I can feel the change in the environment. As confined as it is the little environment in which I have been allowed to coexist. It’s so small that I have managed to master almost everyone who lives around me, what they eat, what they listen to and what they talk about. At times I never want to see people’s faces; but do I have a choice. Enough said…focusing on Easter.
I say there is change in the environment simply because of the music playing all over and the messages being passed around. I love Kenyans and the way they behave; I love the spirit of sharing they have adopted. A text that was coined in one corner of Gatundu North at 8am in the morning will most obviously have found its way to the furthest corner of Siaya, and most probably to the Obama generation. I was woken up by such a text earlier that I expected; and trust me by now my phone records it has been forwarded to at least 15 people. It’s the spirit of sharing. Enjoying the Christian music in the air as opposed to the usual country, blues and the rest…I had to write something on what Christianity is. I am touched.
Simply stated by most of our dear pastors and teachers of the word, Christianity is a lifestyle. I obviously read from the same script with them; do you? Some things are just easier said than explained and probably done. When you tell some other person that Christianity is a lifestyle, the best thing they could do is to probably ignore your words for lack of understanding. I will not say the same today; at least not during Easter.
I have always defined Christianity as just another type of religion; until today when I decided to understand what it really is. I have always known Christianity as a religion that believes in Jesus as their savior; in His death and resurrection. I still believe in the same, just some little but very significant changes in that.
All other religions are based on founders that are dead; founders who never lived to create an event called Easter. On the other hand; the founder and leader of Christianity is alive; He died but rose again and is in heaven, waiting for the judgment day. How then can Christianity be just another religion, yet it so stands out in its foundation and basis. It’s a lifestyle, it’s a way of living, and it’s a daily way of life and not a special event on a Sunday or Saturday morning.
The death and resurrection of Jesus is the foundation of Christianity. If I can echo Paul’s words in 1st Corinthians 15:17 “If Christ has not been raised, your faith is in vain; and you are still in your sins.” Jesus was confident that He could die and rise up again; He had such confidence that He always declared His death and resurrection. He was not conquered by death; He gave up His spirit for the sake of me and you. He was not intimidated by circumstances; He did it so that I and you could have a life worth living. John 10:17-18 “I lay down my life, only to take it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again…”
Based on that, Christianity is meant to be a lifestyle where we are ready to lay down our lives for others. Philippians 2:3 says “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves” That is Christianity…the reason we celebrate this big day.
Enough said; God is coming through for you. You may have dwelt in that grave for long, He conquered death, the grave could not hold Him, and death could not render Him captive. Your situation is not bigger and worse than death, cheer up, He is about to do something new in your life. Make it a lifestyle; make it your way of living. Happy Easter good people.