In one of my discipleship groups, we have been studying through the book of Philippians.  One of my favorite verses in Philippians is Philippians 3:10-11,
          “I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.” 
          Every time I study this verse, I am reminded of the power Christ has given us to live life.  So many people today live in hopelessness and despair.  The problems of their lives crush their spirits, and they spiral into a sense of powerlessness.  Crises and struggles force them to feel that they have no chance to change.  I’ve seen this hopelessness in meth addicts, alcoholics, and failing marriages.  The glare of despair is born in hearts filled with the dark disappointments of life.  It’s sad that the adversary convinces people that there is no way for them to gain the power to change their lives.  Thank God for the resurrection of Jesus Christ! 
     Jesus crushed the power of death when He was raised from the dead.  But the resurrection does not just give us hope for an eternal home in heaven.  The resurrection of Jesus Christ gives us power for life today.  I am reminded of this power in Lois A. Cheney’s poem, “God’s Son.” 

Once upon a time
There was a God
Who so loved the world
That he gave his son
His only son.

And they took that son
And they hung him on a cross
And that son died
And they buried the son—
Sealed him up tight.

But God said,
“Oh no you don’t”
And he rolled back the rock
He unsealed his son
And his son came out
Came out walking and breathing
And he was Alive.

And he’s alive today
And he walks around
And he stalks around

____________________

Breathing life and life
Every morning, just before dawn
For thousands of years
Little grim people—
Preachers and bankers and
Storekeepers and students—
Sneak up to the grave and
Roll back the stone
To seal it up tight.

And every morning
God roars
“Oh no you don’t!”
And he flings back
the stone.

Category : Tommy Talk