Life may be very good for you today. You may be in full voice. And joyfully you may sing and shout, with all that is within you: “He is risen!” Or you may find yourself in a very different place. You may be trying to navigate the most testing of times. Your days seem hard. You’re clinging to a little faith, with all you have left within you. You’re unsure of what tomorrow will bring. You feel like you should be singing, but it’s hard to garner the words today.

Well, here’s the beauty of this day!

Easter Sunday is a day for all of us – in all the seasons of life we’re moving through. From the mountain top, to the deepest valley, and to all those somewhere in between. Today we’re all reminded – we are not alone.

Today we are reminded of a Good Shepherd who looked into the eyes of real people in great pain and assured them of his presence, strength and peace. We are reminded of a God who wept and who continues to wipe away tears – from the rubble of Gaza to the messiness of our own hearts.

Today we are reminded of the power of hope – that most precious commodity we all yearn for. Today of all days, we’re reminded that hope is here and that hope has a name – Jesus, the one death could not hold down!

Yes, He is risen! He is risen indeed! Risen for all of us!

From the ashes of brokenness, loss, disappointment, despair, hurt, bitterness, hatred, grief, hopelessness … new things can emerge! New things can be born! New things are possible! New days can come!

Yes hope is here! And his name is Jesus.

And you don’t need to be on top of the world to experience his hope. You don’t need to have life all together or even pretend you do. You don’t need to tick the boxes of the religious. You don’t need to fit a stereotype or be of a particular sexual orientation. You don’t need to be anyone the world stamps as special. You can tear off the labels some may place on you!

Today – Easter Sunday – declares we all matter to a loving, gracious, accepting God. Today – Resurrection Sunday – declares we can all know hope, resurrecting hope!