
Where to from here?
Autumn in Adelaide is my favourite season of the year, with its notable transitions and transformations and usually moderate and stable weather. Around this time of the year, Adelaide experiences a plethora of cultural and sporting events, from The Fringe, ‘WOMADelaide’ and Writers’ Week to Gather Round and LIV Golf. It can be a bit of a letdown when we then slide into the depths of Winter.
Obviously the most significant event for Chrsitians during the Australian Autumn is that of Easter and it too can soon be lost from both our physical experience and ongoing engagement. It can be helpful to take time to reflect on the significance of the holiday and what it means for our lives.
During Easter, we experience the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is a time where we consciously take time to remember and acknowledge the incredible sacrifice that Jesus made for us on the cross, and to rejoice in the victory he achieved over sin and death through the resurrection.
Following the incredible events of Pentecost, we have descriptions of how The Church begins and grows, as expressed in Acts 2:42-47.
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favour of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”
Easter is a truly transformational event!
So, rather than slide into the ‘Easter Winter,’ I encourage us to continue to reflect on its significance and to commit to living out its message of love and hope in our daily lives. To never forget the incredible love that God has for us and the amazing sacrifice he made so that we could be reconciled to Him. To continue to courageously and humble share His story in and through our communities, and to love and serve others with the same selflessness and humility Jesus showed.
Craig Fielke