What Easter Means to Me

This is a day that we celebrate Easter- the resurrection of Christ. This day has taken on new meaning for my family in the last two years. I have a two-year old son who reminds me daily of what a gift new life is.

But as often the case with this life, there is a continual mixture of trials with blessings. As my wife- Amy- was pregnant with our son, she was diagnosed with a neurological disease- CMT- that has caused her muscles below her knees and elbows to slowly waste away. This disease has brought daily challenges to our family and also perspective.

Every day, I struggle to watch my wife deal with neurological pain. I watch her have difficulty walking and doing many of the daily tasks that we often take for granted. We are reminded that this body is in a process of decay- 2 Corinthians 4:16. We have greater empathy for those who cope with physical disabilities.

But we are filled with hope. Easter is the basis for this hope. We believe in the resurrection of the dead. We believe that just as God raised Christ from the dead, He will also raise our bodies from the dead.

We believe that this body will be sown perishable, but raised imperishable; sown in dishonor, but raised in glory; sown in weakness, but raised in power- 1 Corinthians 15:42-43. Thank you God for the resurrection of Christ. The apostle Paul says, "If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile... if only in this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men." 1 Corinthians 15:17-19. I agree.

For the Hope and Assurance of Resurrection,

Ashley Hodge