I went to bed Saturday night dreading getting up for Easter Sunday service.  I haven’t really been in the Easter mood this year.  I didn’t want to deal with the crowds, the parking hassle, getting up early, getting the household ready.  It just seemed like a major inconvenience.  When I woke up Sunday morning, I really didn’t want to go.  I argued with myself that we should go, but it was a half-hearted argument.  Deep down, I knew my mind was made up to skip church.  It was easier to put my head back under the covers.

So I started to talk to God. “God,” I prayed quietly, “If I promise to get up before sunrise, take my prayer book and my Bible and sit on our patio, reading today’s service and
appropriate verses and watch the sun rise, would that be enough? I’m really tired and it’s a hassle to get dressed up, get Matt’s clothes ready and feed the dogs in time to go. I just don’t have the strength.”  The answer I received was not what I was expecting, but it was profound.

“Jesus was ridiculed, nailed to a cross in the most painful of ways, tortured, humiliated and died to forgive your sins. And you can’t get your lazy bones out of bed to go to His house to say thank you?!?!?!”

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only, begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.”

John 3:16

God loved me so much that he gave his son to save me.  Jesus Christ spent hours in excruciating pain nailed to the cross.  They made him wear a crown of thorns, the sharp points biting into his head.  They pierced his side.  They mocked him.  And yet, he endured all that so that my sins and the sins of the world could be forgiven. He didn’t say it was an inconvenience to do this!

I was instantly ashamed and began to cry. I was not worthyof such love.  He wasn’t asking me to cut off my arm, or sacrifice one of my dogs. He just wanted me to go to church.  I asked God to forgive me for my selfishness, and apologized for letting the devil, with his   powerful ways, almost lead me astray.  I got up out of bed and happily went about the tasks I had dreaded doing just a few moments before.  It was amazing how that change
in perspective made me realize that those ‘inconveniences’ were really blessings.  I had a husband to help get ready and bulldogs that needed feeding and love. Blessings that God has bestowed upon me because He feels I am worthy.

Know what? I’m glad we went! The service was beautiful. It wasn’t too crowded and parking was a breeze.  Everyone was friendly and Father’s sermon wasn’t stuffy but joyful and full of the message of hope. And the processional hymn was one of my all-time favorites: Jesus Christ is Risen Today! Alleluia!!

He is risen to give me and you everlasting life. And that is worth getting out of bed for!