A lesson we can all take from Easter

No matter what you believe, there is one lesson we can all take from Easter: New beginnings.

For Christians, Easter signifies Christ rising again (on the third day) after his crucifixion on Good Friday. This is something most people will understand with Easter being a significant global holiday, but in this post, I want to focus on the message of new beginnings especially in a time where the world is going through change.

It’s no surprise that this Easter is different. Physical gatherings are banned, families will be split up and broken and many will find it hard to feel united without a physical connection to their family, albeit due to death or distance. Despite this, I hope you have managed to enjoy yours in one way or another.

I don’t want to focus on the negatives but instead remember, as Christians do, that Jesus has risen and what that signifies. Don’t worry, I’m not here to go on a biblical rant (I’m far from the perfect Christian), however, there are things that we can draw from this event that we can apply into our lives.

The first is discipline: In the lead-up to Easter, many Christians practice Lent. This is the 40 days and nights prior in which Jesus was wandering in the wilderness. As Christians, this time is used to reflect and many give up things they usually rely on to mimic the suffering and starvation Jesus went through. This pilgrimage is uncomfortable but through this, you can see clearer.

Of course, these days it may not be practiced so strictly, but regardless, the aim is to be consistent. Typical Lent “give-ups” (if that’s even a phrase) include chocolate, sugar, meat, alcohol, social media, etc. The point is that it won’t be something that is easy and is often something we consume too much of. Some even use this opportunity to diet as the 40 days may help maintain motivation where they may have previously failed. It teaches you that if you put your head to something and dedicate properly with a vision, you can achieve your goals.

Jesus may have fought temptation from the Devil in the wilderness but the lesson still stands that discipline kept him grounded. If we apply this lesson to our current lives we will be surprised by our progress. They say 6 months of hard work puts you years ahead and it’s true. If you’re prepared and dedicated you can go further and achieve more. If you can, try to treat this quarantine period like a “Lent period” and pick one thing (or more) that you will focus on consistently. Through will and dedication, you will see that you can complete that task and hopefully this should encourage you to apply this to the next challenge and so forth.

After being crucified, Jesus rose again which symbolises new life. This resurrection shows us that no matter what happened in our life prior, there is always an opportunity to start again. Jesus revealed himself to Mary Magdalene first… a woman known as a sinner. By revealing himself to her he reclaimed her from the wraths of the Devil. This is something we see a lot in the Bible - sinners welcomed back and given an opportunity to reform.

Where are you going with this I hear you ask? Well, as much as this period has been different, it has forced us to change in ways we never expected; it has forced us to be more disciplined with our time and how we use it. It has also forced us to look at what we value most. For many before COVID-19, they placed work over family. With the new threats to health, we appreciate how much more life and relationships are greater than income. Those living alone right now will understand this more-so. Those elderly with strained relationships will understand how much harder it is to navigate life currently with their higher dependency.

During this quarantine, I have heard of longstanding feuds being squashed and friendships becoming stronger as more and more value the importance of those in their lives. Although there have been many tragedies, there is a light at the end of the tunnels that people have changed for the better and don’t take things for granted.

Many people are using this quarantine season to re-invent themselves, improve on skills, find a new hobby, or simply clear out the clutter (I can’t be the only one throwing out years of hoarded paperwork). Let us use this as a time for new birth no matter how uncomfortable it is and appreciate a new life at the end of this. Unfortunately, some may have experienced loss, but try to look at this as a new life in the afterlife. In the same breath, we continue to witness new life and birth as a new cycle begins.

During this strange period, let us put irrelevant things to the side and focus closely on what is happening in our lives. After this lockdown, things will slowly return to “normal” but there’s no doubt that it will be different from how we used to know it. Business will resume but the way in which it operates will change. In fact, many of us will come out of this period a changed person and mindsets, approaches and viewpoints will have also adjusted.

The person who was selfish and used people may realise their ways and soften and help those who they may otherwise have frowned upon. Business owners may notice the work of their dedicated staff during this time and how they risked their health, and accept a smaller profit to inject more income to the workers. Those who lived on the “safe side” of life may take bigger risks and live more. Those who had a bucket list for “the future” may wish to start sooner because they understand the delicacy and uncertainty of life and those who were working tirelessly day in and out will see the appreciation and gratitude of others.

This period will change us all, and with change comes new life.

Use this time wisely and reflect, appreciate, and love back.

Liz x