Journey to the Cross 
Pause
This week, we share this Good News: Christ is Risen! Our long wait is over!
Stop and take a deep breath, breathing in the joy of Easter morning; breathe out the fear and doubt of the night that has passed.
God sees you today and loves you as you are.
Who needs to be seen by you today? Look up, so you can share the good news.
Listen
We announce to you what existed from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have seen and our hands handled, about the word of life. The life was revealed, and we have seen, and we testify and announce to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us. What we have seen and heard, we also announce it to you so that you can have fellowship with us. Our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We are writing these things so that our joy can be complete.
1 John 1:1-4
Think
To be a witness you have to have seen something, and then you have to be willing to testify about it. And John is letting us know that he saw it, heard it, and touched it – the word of life – Jesus! And John invites his readers into fellowship with him – with God and with Jesus. This is the idea of telling the story of Jesus in a nutshell. We tell others what we have experienced about Jesus, and we invite them to join our community of faith.
Some say that God has already chosen those who will follow; some say that God’s love is so compelling that it covers everyone; and still others say that we have free will to chose or not to follow the way of Jesus. No matter which path you are on, we still have to tell the story of Jesus. Why? Because this life on earth is more beautiful and joyful when we walk the way of Jesus. We are better when we are in harmony with God and with our community.
David Burroughs
Pray
Holy and Knowable God, thank you for sending Jesus to walk this earth, to experience life as we do, and for the gift of the Holy Spirit, who lives in me and works through me even now. Help me to tell your story and invite those around me to experience the joy of the journey with you. Amen.
Go
Find your voice today and speak “Peace” to someone in distress.
Find your grip today and hug someone who needs to know they are loved.
Find your stride today and move toward a hurting world with the healing power of the one who made you, who redeemed you, and who has called you to serve.
