Easter Holidays

To many people, Easter is just another holiday season.
In the Quick Crossword that I attempt most days, Easter is usually the answer to the clue "Holiday Season".

Supermarkets have been stocked with chocolate bunnies and eggs, hot cross buns, and the like, for some time, but no mention of why the buns have crosses on them.
It seems that the vast majority of the world's population knows nothing about the real reason for celebrating this "holiday" season.

Maybe those of us who do know could be sharing what we know with those who don't.

That sounds easy ... or does it?
But how do you start a conversation like that?
I like to gently ask leading questions.

When I see someone eating a hot cross bun or mentioning their purchase of hot cross buns, I often ask if they know why the buns have a cross on them.

When discussing the holiday season I always refer to the Friday as "Good Friday", as most calendars do. I then look for any opportunity God might give me to ask if they know why the Friday is called 'good'.

Only a simple explanation is necessary which could be based on the following facts:

God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
[Romans 5 : 8  NIV]
... by means of the physical death of his Son, God has made you his friends, in order to bring you, holy, pure, and faultless, into his presence.
[Colossians 1: 22  GNB]

If the holiday conversation continues, I refer to the Sunday as "Resurrection Sunday" and look for any opportunity ...

For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his.
[Roman 6 : 5  NIV]

Even after Easter, I will ask people what they did over Easter.
Did you go away?
Did you travel on Good Friday?
Did you get some hot cross buns?
And then see if God is opening any doors from there.

Being led by the Holy Spirit is so important.
If he doesn't create the opening, we mustn't force one.
If he does, then we follow his leading by stepping in to it.

The Spirit lives within us for good reason, and has always gone ahead of us to open doors and prepare the way if that is his intention with that person on that occasion.

We need to trust his leading - "go" or "whoa" - and follow the nudges in our spirit.
Let's remember:

... you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
[1 Peter 2 : 9  NIV]

Blessings, Barry