Our “Unstoppable” God

“…Take a guard,” Pilate answered. “Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how.” So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting a guard. After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it… The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.”   Matthew 27:62 – 28:6

Is there a situation or a person in your life that is causing you to feel hopeless? I think all of us can relate. Yet if there’s anything we as Christians are left with in the aftermath of Easter, it’s the absolute reality that nothing (and no one) is beyond the reach of prayer and of God’s victorious power! After Jesus died and was placed in the tomb, the chief priests and Pharisees warned Pilate to take extra precautions so Jesus’ disciples couldn’t steal His body then claim He had been raised from the dead. But we know what happened to that sealed and guarded tomb! Thanks and praise to God, who truly is unstoppable!

Twenty-four years ago this spring, I was going through a divorce and then my mom was diagnosed with spinal meningitis. I drove home to suburban Chicago to be with my dad while my mom was in the hospital, steadily declining. Her primary care doctor urged us to consider removing life supports; her neurologist suspected very little brain function remained. I had to drive back to Battle Creek after a week for my kids’ sake, and I’ll never forget crying and praying all during that trip. But at some point I began to have a sense of peace, with the clear realization that GOD, not the doctors, had the final say. The next day, I got a call from my sister that my mom was starting to improve– and within a couple of weeks, she was pretty much back to her self again (and lived six more years).

My marriage, on the other hand, was not to be healed (despite agonizing prayer). But in the process I learned a lot about trusting that all things do work for the good of those who love God. Because of Him, we are loved, redeemed, blessed and ultimately victorious!

Prayer:  Thank you, Lord, and we give you ALL praise, for your’s is “the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen.”

Carolyn Rex