Easter Sunday has come and gone and its time to practice resurrection living! As I mentioned in my post Practicing Resurrection yesterday, Easter is not just a day it is a season, in fact it is the framework for the rest of our lives. Over the next few weeks I plan to share a number of stories of creative ministries and initiatives that do just that. Today’s post is written by Brian “Wolt” Wolters, director of The Overflow Project. It was first published as Being Radical, Good Friday on the MSA website as part of a series on the Overflow Project. The MSA team are all joining the initiative this year and we hope you will too.
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Over the past several weeks I have found myself coming up with excuses to drive to work instead of ride my bike. Even before I get in my truck I tell myself, “Oh, one more day of driving and then I’ll start riding my bike,” or even on a sunny day I’ll say “Oh, it may rain today, so I’ll just drive.”
Why is it that we often have good intentions of doing something we think is best, but then opt for something easier or more convenient? Why do we form habits as human beings that prevent us from being radical?
Many books explore these questions. Some prescribe easy “steps” or even “recipes” for breaking out of patterns and molds that develop over time. On the flip side, other materials suggest creating new habits for life change like setting aside time for prayer and exercise daily.
Insert Good Friday. Jesus’s death on a cross is radical I think. He does not conform to culture or take the easy, most comfortable option. He also does not say oh today, I’m going to start “effective habits.” He even goes against his own desire and chooses to die! If you want a vivid reminder the horror of his death, pick up the Mel Gibson film, The Passion of Christ.
The reminder of Jesus death on Good Friday inspires me to be more in tune with God’s voice for my life – instead of my own desires – and explore being radical by forming new habits and breaking old ones. I pray I am who God made me to be and that I my eyes open to see my comfort zones.
I shared these thoughts about Easter with MSA last year, and am just as excited about The Overflow Project’s initiative this year. The opportunity is great: to join with others in a unified effort to live with a little less and be able to give a little bit more, following the mold of Jesus death on the cross and celebrating on Easter his resurrection.
Perhaps today is a day to break a habit or start a new one. Jesus leads us in His way and with His death.
An opportunity to celebrate his resurrection on Easter exists.
Join in a challenge for the 50 days of the Easter season.
This is the fourth post in a Friday series about The Overflow Project that was published on the MSA blog, leading up to the 50 Day Challenge starting on Easter.
Periodically during the 50 days, various Challenge participants with share how they are taking the challenge and what they’re learning.
If you decide to take the challenge, please register on their page and share your story!
The Overflow Project is an initiative committed to a new way of living, a way of living that breaks down the walls that divide rich and poor. Using a 50-Day Challenge, The Overflow Project helps individuals, groups and churches simplify their lives in order to give generously. Donated funds provide clean drinking water – a vital resource for community and economic development.