Call It Out of the Grave
Written By: April Mills
When I sat down to write the MDWK Motivation for this week, I really struggled to find something inspiring. I am following Easter weekend (no pressure there), and just couldn’t get my writing feet under me. I didn’t want this devotion to be a simple recap of the sermon, but yet, wanted to highlight the wisdom and biblical truth that was shared Sunday. After rolling it over in my mind, I found myself coming back over and over again to something Josh said during his message.
Even though we all have pain, hurt and brokenness in our lives, we believe God can breathe hope into the darkest places in our lives.
Josh continued by explaining how the empty tomb became our symbol of hope. It got my wheels turning, and I found myself thinking, how many tombs do we have in our lives? I am not talking about the tombs where God has rolled away the stone, the dead thing came out and life was restored. No, I am talking about the sealed tombs. I am talking about the tombs where something has been laid to rest, the rock rolled in place, and you have walked away. There is no sign of life, and no hope for a miracle. It’s cold, dark, and lifeless.
When I close my eyes, I can see tombs littering the landscape of my life. Due to God’s faithfulness, many are empty. These are the tombs where the light of God has invaded the space and no darkness remains. The resurrection power of God has rolled away the stone, and called out that once lifeless thing. What entered the tomb was dead and beyond hope, and what came out was life in the form of provision, healing, reconciliation and restoration.
I can recall when a family member was struggling terribly. To my natural eye, the situation appeared doomed. There was no evidence of change on the horizon, and little hope for a breakthrough. I remember walking down the hallway toward their room, and I was suddenly overcome by the heaviness and fear of the situation. I stopped and leaned my forehead against the door, and did my best to gain control of my emotions. A phrase came to my spirit, and it’s one that always rises to the surface in times of dismay and trouble. The tomb is empty.
How much faith does it take to believe God will call something out of the grave? How much endurance and fortitude does it take to believe for God to restore life to what seems beyond repair? After all, we don’t lay to rest something that is still breathing. No, we wait until there is no movement, no hope and no life. Then we bury it, and walk away.
Friend, I don’t know what is laying in the tomb for you today. I don’t know what situation looks lifeless and hopeless for you. This I do know. The same faith that cements the belief that Christ rose from the dead and reigns in Heaven is the same faith you can apply to your personal tomb. Whatever it may be, your marriage, addiction, sickness, finances, a relationship-whatever it is, call it out. Take the faith that ties you to the cross, and tie it to the tomb. Let’s resolve to live like He is going to show up.