Back to normal??

Easter Sunday. Second service. Nothing short of amazing! If you were there you witnessed many come forward to rededicate their lives or make first-time commitments to Jesus Christ.

One young lady I spoke with immediately afterward had been invited by a friend. She was still trembling. She recounted how the Lord had been working on her from the moment she arrived.

I had a lengthy conversation with one of our faithful regulars. He had been specially touched by the Lord. I can’t go into detail but he experienced what I can only describe as spiritual heart surgery.

In the several days that have transpired since Easter quite a few of our people have commented excitedly about the outpouring of the Spirit we experienced.

Now what? Back to ‘normal?’

There is a sense in which Easter Sunday is special. Historically there are more people in attendance. Your family, friends, co-workers, and neighbors are more likely to agree to come than on a regular Sunday. Believers have a heightened sense of expectation. Nothing wrong with any of that.

Could every Sunday be like Easter Sunday? Well, it could for someone. Here is what I mean. Every Sunday there is probably someone in attendance who is not a believer. They can hear the Gospel and be saved. It could be through an altar call. It could be by coming forward to be prayed for. It could be by coming into contact with any of the saints in attendance. Regardless the method it will be Easter Sunday for that dearly loved person.

Every Sunday could be like Easter Sunday for any saint. Is there not always searching of the heart by God? Does our Savior not always look to operate upon our heart?

We should not treat any Sunday as normal. We should think of no meeting as ordinary. It may seem repetitive or usual to us but it is full with Easter potential for others.

Truth is, every meeting is full with Easter potential for each of us, too. We need to awake to it.

I encourage all of us to pray for and prepare for every service as if it were Easter Sunday and we expect lives to be changed.

I have a suggestion. Debrief after every service. Whether you do so alone or with those you serve with, look back upon your ministering. Was it faithful? Was it excellent? Was it Christ-like? Was it Spirit-led? Was your attitude that of a servant? What fell short and needs improvement?

Let’s raise our personal bar of ministry higher and higher as we wait for Jesus. After all, there are saints and sinners whose lives can be changed.