Pastor Tim Hauge

 Christ Lutheran Church

Odessa, Washington

Church People & Easter People

     Life is not always easy or pleasant.  It is easy for those of us who seem to do alright with the daily grind to be critical and judgmental of those who struggle with each day's issues.  For all too long church people have been just that, "church" people.  Church people sit in their comfortable pews and watch Christian faith done.  Church people enjoy having Christian faith done for them by a pastor who speaks in such a way that they are entertained.  Church people enjoy Christian faith done for them with inspiringly professional quality music.  This can and is true in both the traditional churches that present a choir and organ as well as the "non-structured" congregation's that give a praise and worship show with a well rehearsed guitar and drums band.

     When people who are finding life to be a little too much to handle experience one of these places "ruled" by church people, they might find themselves relieved for a short time from their worries and concerns, but as they leave the church building and the "church people" go their way as well, they are confronted once again with the issues of a difficult life, very much alone.

     A true Christian faith is founded and directed not by "church people", but by the One who can rightfully be confessed and proclaimed as the Savior.  That One is Jesus, the crucified and risen Lord.  Through this Jesus we are given the gift of forgiveness.  This is first and foremost needed because we are sinners.  We fail ourselves and we fail others.  It is into that reality of our existence that Jesus comes as Savior.  At the cross Jesus takes your sin and deals with it for you in His dying.  Christian faith proclaims that is not the end of the story.  There is resurrection! Jesus who died on the cross is also raised from death in victory over sin and death.  It is His life that enlivens all who call upon His name for grace and mercy and the promise of new life both here in this world and certainly in that world to come. 

     Church people become Easter people through the empowering of God's Holy Spirit and the forgiveness set in place through Jesus' death and resurrection.  As Easter people we reach out with love and kindness to any and all, especially those who are hurting, who are worried, who are struggling the tasks and challenges of their daily existence.  Into the darkness and drudgery of a broken life, Easter people bring the light of Christ to shed the light and the glimpse of new life that is ours in this world through Jesus. 

     In your circle of family, friends, co-workers and neighbors you certainly know someone who is now or has had difficult time with things.  For that person what would a kind word from you do to help their day be better?  What could you pray for in that person's life?  What physical things can you do that would make a world of difference for them, and in so doing proclaim and present a faithful witness to the source of life and peace itself, Jesus Christ?  Being an Easter people is not complicated.  Rather it is simply being a proactive source of compassion and dignity to one's neighbor.  Try it, you probably will find that God will indeed bless your efforts!

                                                                             Pastor Tim Hauge

"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light."   

- I Peter 2:9