There are a number of festivals and holidays celebrated this time of year.  Depending upon what faith you practice, there is Ramadan, Holi and Easter.  Each are unique celebrations rooted in different cultures.  The common thread is they all take place in the season of spring.  The traditions from each holiday are based in Muslim, Hindu or Christian roots, respectively.  We are fortunate to live in a diverse community where all of these observances are publically celebrated.

This time of year also spurs the community egg hunts.  They’re in the parks, in the community pools, in schools and even in workplaces.  The egg hunt, to me, has always been a welcome event to spring.  Our local grange has baby chicks and ducklings newly in stock; hark the egg hunt as a symbol of new life and a new season!  It is the time of year trees begin to bud new leaves, the plum and cherry blossoms start busting out and the daffodils are in all their yellow glory.  Soon, we’ll begin to see the baby bunnies and the timid-legged fawns – it is the season of all the little freshies!

As for me the ultimate celebration that heralds in spring is Easter.  There is Lent, 40 days of fasting, praying and charity.  Then Holy Week, beginning the Sunday before Easter, Palm Sunday, a day commemorating Jesus’ arrival into Jerusalem.  He was celebrated and honored, yet, in a matter of days, Jesus was crucified on a cross.  Good Friday is respected as an acknowledgement of His crucifixion upon on the cross.  Alas, death could not hold Him down, and three days after being laid in the tomb, the stone was rolled away. Jesus rose from the dead, fulfilling the promise of eternal life with Him in heaven, for those who choose to believe.  Easter – did it happen exactly on those days?  Not necessarily, but the truth is that Jesus came to earth to fulfill a prophesy and offer us an opportunity of eternal life.

Life is a nutty thing.  We’re born, grow up, experience the world and the communities we’re brought into without a choice.  You’re here.  Have you questioned why?  Do you wonder how you exist or why you were so lucky, or unlucky, to be where you are right now?  Have you tried everything else seeking answers?  Do you wonder why illness exists, wars are fought and people go hungry?  You’re not alone.  Have you wondered what happens when you die?  Is it simply “game over”?  Have you tried to find the answers in seeking other paths to “enlightenment”?  Have you consumed yourself with striving for success, partying with friends, indulging in distractions and pseudo relationships that don’t bring you fulfillment?  You’re not alone.  I think a lot of us have followed similar paths.

Did you know the beginning of true peace can be found in making a decision to welcome Jesus into your heart?  What does that mean?  It means that we are accepting His way of living, loving and leading our lives.  It might be a new perspective for you.  A faith in Jesus Christ means you’re accepting a free gift of salvation.  You don’t have to earn it, just accept it.  God loved us so much, He gave us his son, Jesus, who came to earth, lived like us then paid the price of our sins by being crucified on the cross.  Three days later He rose from the dead, symbolizing new life promised to all who believe.  What do you have to lose?  There is an incredible, inexplicable peace that comes with accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.

Want to take the next step?  To begin a personal relationship with God where you will be saved from the consequences of your sins, regardless of how unforgiveable you might think they are, I invite you to repeat this prayer with me:

 “Jesus, I believe that you are the Son of God and Savior of the world. I believe that you died for my sins and rose from the dead. I believe that through your sacrifice, I am a new person. Forgive me for my sins and fill me with your Spirit. Today, I choose to follow you for the rest of my life as Lord of my life.  Amen.”

How awesome is that! Now what are the next steps?

First, tell another Christian that you accepted Jesus in your life. It’s something to celebrate!

Second, find a local church community to get plugged into. Doing life together is what will help you grow.  Easter is an awesome time to visit a church.  It’s less intimidating since lots of people will be attending and visiting.  Be brave, be bold and go.  There is nothing better than being in the midst of a loving, welcoming family.

Third, try to read the Bible and spend time in prayer for at least 10-15 minutes every day. If you don’t have a Bible, you can buy one at the store or online or use the YouVersion Bible app. Don’t know what translation to use? If you want it closer to the original language, ESV, English Standard Version, is a good start.  if you want it a little more modern, NLT, New Living Translation, is excellent.  Don’t be intimidated by praying.  Prayer is just simple conversation with God.  Tell Him how you’re feeling, what’s bothering you and what you need help with.  Spend time in gratitude for an opportunity to live a new life.  So, 10-15 minutes a day of prayer and reading.

Finally, get baptized. Check out the next time your church is offering baptisms.  It’s a biblical thing to do.  Basically, an outward expression of an inward decision.

So, that’s what it means to accept Jesus into your heart and the next steps to take once you do.  Your life will never be the same!