It Wasn't a Surprise
MONTANA — Greetings from the Big Sky Country.
Last week, I finally did it. I had been putting it off for months but the day (actually weekend) finally came.
I did my taxes.
Even though I was using Turbo Tax, it took me two days to get through the process. I can’t even imagine trying to do taxes by hand like I used to in the old … very old … days.
Every year when I do this, I wish we would go to a flat tax for a number of reasons.
I would have an extra weekend each year.
We wouldn’t need expensive software or even more expensive tax experts to fill out our forms and submit them to the government.
We would spare our elected representatives from the temptation to make deals with lobbyists to get special tax breaks for their clients.
And … we would take care of the problem of people not paying their “fair share.”
The people who use the term “fair share” usually mean “let’s take more money from the rich,” but the fact is that currently about 60% of Americans don’t pay any federal income taxes at all.
That’s their fair share?
Nothing?
A flat tax. That’s my recommendation.
But enough complaining. I’ve submitted my tax forms and sent the money “requested” by the government, so I guess I’ll just forget about it until next year.
Time to get to my story.
Easter is this Sunday.
That got me thinking about the time when I first learned what Easter was all about.
When I was growing up, I viewed Easter as a one week vacation from school. I knew it was also a time when families dressed their kids up and headed off to church.
In my memory I can still see girls — we called them girls back then — lined up for a photo on a front yard wearing frilly white and pink dresses and ready to head off to church.
Even families that didn’t normally go to church went to church on Easter Sunday.
I had no idea why anyone went to church on that particular day but a lot of people did it.
It seemed like the loss of a good vacation day to me.
Then Things Changed
In 1964, I became a Christian.
I began attending a small church and since I had zero experience being in a church of any kind, everything was new to me. And I soaked it all in — sermons, music, reciting the Apostles Creed, Bible studies, reading the Bible. It was amazing.
But I still remember my first Easter Sunday when I was in that church — instead of just watching families head off to church — our pastor preached on the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
I was floored. Amazed. Surprised.
I knew about the resurrection of Jesus and believed it.
However, I didn’t know that Easter was a celebration of that historical event.
Now, I felt like I was a reasonably intelligent person — perhaps all 16 year olds feel that way — but I was shocked that I had grown up in America and never known that Easter was about the resurrection of Christ.
How could I have missed it?
Who kept it from me?
I have to admit I wasn’t looking for the coming of Jesus. I knew very little about Jesus when I was growing up, but I was surprised when I learned that Easter was about the day Jesus rose from the dead.
But I wasn’t the only one who was surprised.
The Jews of Jesus’ day were looking for the coming of the Messiah. They had dozens, if not hundreds, of prophetic teachings about the coming Messiah.
Even Jesus’ disciples, who had received very clear teachings from Jesus that he would be executed and would rise from the dead, were very surprised when the resurrection happened.
It Wasn’t a Surprise to God
But God wasn’t surprised.
God knew what would happen, how it would happen, and when it would happen.
This was God’s plan. Jesus would die on the cross to pay the price for our sins and Jesus would rise from the dead to show he is victorious over death.
“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 6:23 (ESV)
I feel sorry for kids growing up in America today who aren’t taught that Easter is about the resurrection of Jesus. They don’t see that truth in their movies or TV shows or social media or school studies.
They don’t even have Easter Vacation from school anymore.
Now it’s Spring Break.
If you get an opportunity today, tell someone about the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the price Jesus paid so they can be reconciled to God.
“But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”
John 1:12 (ESV)
I hope you have a great Easter celebrating what God has done.
Here are some stories I found interesting recently. I encourage you to check them out.
“For the Sake of Our Children, Abolish the Department of Education” by Roger L. Simon. Should politicians and bureaucrats in Washington, D.C., really be the ones deciding what and how our children are taught?
“The Most Realistic Humanoid Robot Yet (Ameca)” by Cold Fusion. You probably know I love seeing the advances in robotics. This 15 minute video on YouTube shows some recent advances in the field.
“In Australia, doctors are now being warned they ‘are obliged to’ follow public health messages.” by Alex Berenson. Doctors are being told they must obey the government even if evidence shows the government is wrong. That’s an interesting approach to science.
“Drone Delivery has arrived in Texas” by Wing. This short YouTube video shows a delivery service that is operating near Dallas.
“Faces of Meth Progression” by Jenni Julander. A sad look at the costs of meth addiction and a hopeful look at recovery for the addict.
Before I go I’d like to share a blessing with you from the Old Testament.
“May the Lord bless and protect you; may the Lord’s face radiate with joy because of you; may he be gracious to you, show you his favor, and give you his peace.”
Numbers 6:24-26 (The Living Bible)
Until next time … be the reason someone smiles today!
Clint
He is risen!