God Dreamt of You

An Easter Message from Rev. Evelyn Kent Clark, South District Superintendent

Each year as Easter approaches, the clergy begin to ponder what will be different this year? What will make the remembrance of Jesus Christ's journey from the Jordan (with John the Baptist) to the Garden (with the women) have a powerful impact on the spiritual lives of their congregants? It's an old, old story as one hymn recounts. How do we tell an old, old story with new, relevant and striking effects? The story should at least cause us to see the Father, Jesus the Son, and ourselves in a different light.

When I was a little child, a family friend told me that God knew me before I was a gleam in my daddy's eye. I wasn't quite sure what that meant at the time. But now, I know it refers to the fact that God knew me before I was conceived in my mother's womb. The Triune God thought of me. More than that, God had dreams for me.

God told Jeremiah, "Before I formed you in your mother's womb I knew you" (Jeremiah 1:5a). Consider the fact that God knew you before you were born and considered who you could and would become in God's vision for you. In fact, God had plans for you (Jeremiah 29:11).

All this brings us to Easter Sunday morning with the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In order for the plans and dreams God has for you to come to their perfect fruition, Jesus the Christ had to complete the perfect work of salvation on the cross. Jesus' amazing journey to the cross led to His amazing resurrection from the dead, so that God's dreams for you could come true.

Easter isn't just a good story, a beautiful narrative to tell once a year. Easter is about God's plan from the beginning of time to save the world from eternal death and offer to all the gift of eternal life. Easter is about transformation, receiving a new life, a new way of thinking, and a new way of being. Easter is about fulfilling the dream that God dreamt about you!

Happy Easter!