Everyone is looking for meaning in life. We strive and hustle to make our way to whatever definition of success we embrace. But achievement void of purpose leaves us empty and disillusioned. Here’s the hard truth—We never arrive. Fulfillment is fleeting because finding purpose is a lifelong journey. So what do you do when you don’t know what to do? How do you discern God’s path for your life? This Sunday, we’re going to get super practical on the many ways God wants to co-create the future with you and demystify the art of hearing from the One who loves you the most. Ultimately this journey leads to a person named Jesus and the experience of oneness with the Father.

“When those who choose to authentically follow Christ embrace the everyday power of the Resurrection and extend love, justice, and peace beyond nationality, political party, religion, etc, the Church will shift from Institution to revolution.” Bernice King

A shift is taking place in the hearts and minds of those who desire to truly follow Jesus. But that shift requires that we quit carrying the things that Jesus carried on the cross. They’re weighing us down and preventing us from experiencing the kind of abundant life that Jesus promised. When we release the burdens that Jesus bore on the cross an exchange takes place. We experience His life. We experience everyday resurrection!

“Conspiracies occur everywhere in our time. We are seldom shocked to hear of a high-profile personality being implicated. Even those who possess unblemished integrity are not completely innocent. But in the case of Jesus, the conspiracy against Him was the most convoluted of all. He had once inspired those who now conspired against Him. They found Him guilty. He found them innocent. They rejected Him. He accepted them. They killed Him. He gave them life. Every irresolvable contradiction was resolved in and through him.” Randall Worley

Easter Sunday should point you to a person and not a system of beliefs. I don’t want to convince you through apologetic arguments. I want your heart to catch fire and your fear to melt at the mention of the name of Jesus. On Easter Sunday we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus and the restoration of all things. I pray this divine conspiracy comes alive in you as well.

Most people would say the pandemic and consequent quarantine were not the best of times. But for the green industry, like plant nurseries and greenhouses, it’s been a boon. One study found that one out of every three people began gardening or caring for indoor plants in 2020 because they were home more. I can testify that my wife, Sarah went from plant killer to a green thumb goddess. Our home has become a well-oxygenated jungle of happy greenery. Sarah is blissfully spritzing, potting, pruning, and propagating her plant babies like a pro. It’s been quite a transformation and I am all for it! Jesus said, “I am the vine and you are the branches.” This “I Am” statement was a horticultural reference to our relationship with him and the process of growth that leads to fruitfulness. It’s not automatic, though. It requires pruning that can feel painful at the time but yields the best and tastiest fruit. Thankfully, God is an expert gardener that cares for you with the goal of transformation. He knows how to shape you into the image of Jesus so you can thrive and serve others the fruit of forgiveness, reconciliation, and love.

Ukrainian civilians who had lost their way and driven close to the front lines were viciously attacked by a barrage of Russian bullets striking their car and wounding the driver. A frantic woman emerged from the car and attempted to aid the seemingly lifeless body that had flopped out of the other door. The attack was captured on aerial footage by Ukrainian soldiers, who launched a unique rescue mission by attaching a piece of paper with the words “follow me” to a small drone. The woman looks up, sees the note, and starts following the drone to safety. Miraculously, the other person survived despite being thrown into a ditch by the Russian soldiers. War is evil. But the “Follow Me” note made me think of an audacious statement from Jesus when his disciples were lost and afraid, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life is one of the seven I Am statements from Jesus in John’s gospel that reveals the God who became one of us to rescue all of us.

These last few years, the world has experienced great darkness. The pandemic, wars, political unrest, natural disasters, famine, you name it. And thanks to 24/7 coverage we have a front-row seat to all the chaos. But Jesus doesn’t stay glued to CNN and FOX News. He has a different perspective and as His followers, we should adopt his view and long to see the world set right. When he declared, “I am the resurrection and the life” it wasn’t hyperbolic and it’s time for us to wake up to this truth, walk in the fullness of life, and not settle for the status quo. We will be talking all about life this Sunday. It is time to get our eyes off what the enemy has been doing and look at what a big God we serve. Receive a dose of hope this Sunday.

Imagine this: a pale blue sky, a peaceful meadow, green grass as far as your eye can see, the landscape dotted by happy sheep eating to their full. Now add in a cool breeze and you're set. Can we go there right now?

When Jesus spoke to his followers saying, "I am the good shepherd", they probably didn't quite picture that peaceful scene. Shepherds had a tough job in those days (still do). They were the ones responsible for keeping their flocks alive: feeding, leading, cleaning, protecting, keeping watch, let your imagination run with that. Shepherding was not a job for the faint of heart. The sheep on the other hand had a simple job: follow the shepherd.

If Jesus is our good shepherd, how are you doing at following Him?

Are you able to recognize His voice above the noise in this world?

A gate can serve several functions. It opens and shuts to access a fenced area. It prevents a child from climbing the stairs or a dog from messing up your carpet. Want to fly away for a great vacation? You’ll have to go through the gate. In one of the seven “I AM” statements by Jesus, he reveals himself as the gate. It’s a strange metaphor and His declaration went over the heads of the religious leaders he was speaking to. They loved power and control. Like bouncers at an exclusive club, they saw themselves as gatekeepers and relished determining who was in or out. But this declaration by Jesus swung the gate wide open and pointed to himself as the only way to freedom, life, and abundance.

Could it be that your willingness to commit to doing whatever God wants is a key that unlocks all of Heaven's resources?

Just like Abraham, when we volunteer by saying, “Here am I” to the call of the Great I AM we will experience an adventure of faith. Likely, it will be something that we never thought we could do, something we never thought we would love! But it will certainly be something that changes our view of God and further shapes us into the image of Jesus.

Darkness has a feeling and a voice. It feels like being suffocated and speaks the language of hopelessness. Look around our world, darkness is rolling in like a thick fog. We can panic and feel overwhelmed until we recall that Jesus—the light of the world—is in us ready to shine the light of love that pushes the darkness away. In Him, there is no darkness and the Bible tells us that, “as He is, so are we in this world.” The light within you can never be extinguished! Could it be that the children’s song, “This little light of mine..” was way more powerful than we could have possibly imagined? We are called to be children of light. So, how are you shining right now?