Darkness Before Dawn

With trees beginning to blossom under the warmth of the spring sun, it is hard to think of this time as one when darkness came over the world for some agonizing days. Easter was a time I remember when, as children, we had new outfits and baskets filled with German chocolates and colored eggs. We had a child's understanding of the Resurrection, the greatest celebration of the Christian calendar, and certainly not the agony that led up to it.

Even as we wait to celebrate that glorious event on Easter Sunday, as we approach it, I can't help but think about the dark days just before Sunday. Jesus was washing the feet of His disciples and breaking bread at the table, even with the one He knew was about betray Him for some pieces of silver. Those were dark days for Him, even leading up to His agony in the Garden of Gethsemane, knowing He would be abandoned by all before He died on Friday. To His disciples of course, Friday was beyond a disaster. All the promises, all the things He said; they thought He was the King, at least He said so, and now this, it was over. He was dead. Their grief and disillusionment was complete. Who could imagine such darkness? Such broken hearts?

I always found it interesting that in nature at dawn the temperature of the air gets still colder, as though it is doing the opposite of what we think it should do before the sun fully rises in the  morning sky. Jesus always said He was going to suffer for all mankind, but no one understood Him. Certainly not when He died as a criminal. Sometimes it is like that as we wait for the promises of God. It can seem colder, and darker, before He shines a light on us and all the things He has been telling us finally come to pass. He knew it was His last days, He knew what was coming. And He knew what would still come after the darkness and heartbreak.

No matter what causes darkness in our lives, He knows what is ahead. Even if it gets still colder, the warmth is coming, the promises will be fulfilled, and the darkness will eventually give way to the dawn He promised. No one can overrule what He has planned. Not Judas, not anyone. Wait for it. Sunday is still coming!

Happy Easter, dear friends!