Easter is important to me. It’s foundational to my faith. But not everyone shares my faith. Even so, Easter speaks to everyone.

I was told that more people go to church on Easter weekend than at any other time of the year. Studies estimate that this year it’ll be one billion people that attend.

Some see that as a problem judging people’s motives. I see it as inspiring.

Why is that? Because I believe Easter is speaking three things to everyone whether they believe in Jesus or not.

Easter speaks of newness, hope, and love.

NEWNESS

In the Christian faith, the newness we believe in is tied to the resurrection of Jesus. Because He rose from the dead, we can have new life. We get a do-over if you will. This new life is full of grace. The idea of grace was something new Jesus brought. The religious leaders argued with Him and the grace He brought. They were caught up in what was called the law, which was a whole bunch of rules that no one was capable of following. Jesus brought new thinking too.

Outside the Christian faith, the newness is found in nature and expectations. The symbols of bunnies, chicks, and Easter eggs scream of this newness. When I was a little girl my mom would get my brothers and I all dressed up in new clothes for Easter. We’d get a completely new outfit. Suits for my brothers and a dress, hat, and gloves for me. Sometimes hats for my brothers. And also new shoes.

Maybe some people go to church on Easter looking for newness.

HOPE

In the Christian faith, hope touches so many things. Because of what Jesus did we have the hope of eternal life after this life is over. We also have hope in seeing loved ones again after they die. Hope is where we start to reach for all the promises God has made to us. For example, healing, provision, and wisdom. Hope is the powerful precursor to faith and faith is the foundation of our life.

Outside the Christian faith, hope is just as powerful. Hope is a spiritual force no matter what your beliefs are. Hope looks up, looks for positive change. Hope gives us breath when life is hard. The newness that comes with nature in the Spring and the symbols of Easter breed hope. When I was in a dark time in my life, I went to three different churches on a Sunday looking for hope. I didn’t find it at the church. I found it later in Jesus.

Maybe people go to church on Easter looking for hope.

LOVE

In the Christian faith, God is love. I’d read that many times before I knew it to be true. I understood English when they said that because of God’s love He sent Jesus. But I wrestled with so many questions. Not to mention I had a bullseye trauma in my soul put there by the church. But just because it took me thirty-four years to come to believe the truth about love doesn’t minimize the power of love. It was that love that never gave up on me, pursued me and convinced me of His true intentions. Now I believe His love because He loved me first.

Outside the Christian faith, love is in the air during the Easter season. Maybe it starts in February for some. But the newness and hope breed feelings of love. Hearts are lighter and expectations elevated. And even if people don’t believe the love of God, they hear that love is the reason for Easter. Therefore, Easter is speaking love to everyone who’ll listen.

I bet love is the biggest reason people go to church on Easter.

I don’t know if you plan to go to church on Easter or not. I’m not taking attendance and I know God isn’t either.

Life is all about what’s going on in our hearts and I want my heart full of love.

So no matter what your beliefs are, I wish you newness and hope and send you my love. Happy Easter.

WHAT NOW

• What is Easter saying to you? Leave a comment.
• I wrote a little book about my thirty-four-year journey to believe love. Subscribe and receive a copy free here.
• The story of the bulls-eye trauma from church as well as how love pursued me and convinced me is in my book. Get a copy here.

Danielle Bernock

Author, Coach, and Speaker helping men, women, and organizations EMERGE with clear vision of their value, TAKE ownership of their choices, and CHART a path to their promise, becoming Victorious Souls who Embrace The Change from survive to thrive through the power of the love of God

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