Fesh Start at Easter
New Dongara Rector David Thompson published his first message to residents in the ‘Local Rag’ about a fresh start with God through Jesus at Easter.
How good is a fresh start? This year has been a year of new beginnings for myself and my family. In January we moved all the way from rural New South Wales to Dongara so I could become the new Pastor of Dongara Anglican Church.
Moving is an exciting time because of all the new things to explore and experience. Everything feels fresh (like a swim at the beach on a lovely Dongara morning). Yet, moving is also tiring and stressful. The feeling of a fresh start is often only momentary and quickly fades.
Wouldn’t it be amazing if we could experience a lasting fresh start in our lives? It would be great if we could start over and be confident that our future wouldn’t be affected by our past pains, mistakes, failures and regrets. Such a fresh start would surely bring a life filled with freedom, joy and hopefulness. Can you imagine this life, this fresh start?
At Easter time we celebrate Jesus’ death on the cross and his miraculous resurrection. At its heart, the message of Easter is the offer of a fresh start with God. The cross means our past, however messy, can be forgiven, and Jesus’ resurrection secures our future. It is Jesus who says “I am the resurrection and the life”. This means that we can have true hope for the future. The Bible describes this future as one where every tear will be wiped away, where there will be no more death, mourning, crying or pain (Revelation 21:4). It’s a future filled with everlasting joy and real satisfaction, far beyond what we could ever imagine! Isn’t that what we all long for?
Have a safe and happy Easter.
Blessings,
David