For many people, this year’s Easter celebration is barely a memory. New fancy clothes have been put away and goodies left by the mythical rabbit are all gone—except maybe the ones still hiding among the fading daffodil leaves.
It’s been years since I’ve appreciated hiding colored eggs as an appropriate way to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. However, this year God spoke to me through those colored eggs.
About a week after Easter, Shirley, a friend, reported on Facebook that she’d found three eggs still resting comfortably in the side yard. They were quite visible and easy to see even after the grass had grown for another week, so she wondered how they’d been missed.
A couple of weeks later, Shirley reported on Facebook that she had a dream about Easter eggs. She dreamed she was in the yard of her childhood and she discovered “an abundance of hidden Easter eggs” along the left side of the driveway. Many were lying out in the open, so it was unbelievable that they hadn’t been found. Consequently, in the dream, Shirley gathered “a bunch of kids” to hunt the eggs.
She said, “I gave specific directions as to where they [eggs] were and told them the boundaries. But they didn’t listen and still didn’t find them all and ran all over the place. I kept yelling to make them hear but they didn’t pay attention.”
Shirley added, “They should pay attention and follow directions! . . . I woke myself up yelling about where to find the eggs!”
I wonder, how close do you think the actions of the children in Shirley’s dream coincide with our lives as God attempts to bless us with special treats?
I’m afraid we have way too much in common with the children in the dream.
After all, our instructions are not just verbal. God orchestrated a lot of people to write down the directions, so we can refer back to them when we need clarification. He even included stories of people who’ve gone before us so we can know what leads to finding His blessing.
He also told us where to search, telling us to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Mt. 6:33). And He gave us boundaries—the Ten Commandments (Ex. 20:1-17) and directions—the great commission (Mt. 28:19-20).
But, too often we’re like the children in the dream. We don’t pay attention or follow directions. Instead, we distract ourselves. We’re driven by our own lusts, by our friends, or the glitter of the world. We’re buried under activities, interests, and responsibilities and blinded by false hopes and dreams. Consequently, we miss the treasures and rewards that are waiting all around us.
Those blessings are waiting for us. We’ll find them if we listen to His voice and follow directions.
His voice. In the dream, Shirley was yelling at the kids. But the Lord rarely yells. First, He speaks in a gentle, loving whisper, inviting us to the prize. Any yelling or harsh encounter is used only as a last resort, when we need a drastic change of direction and we aren’t hearing Him call. If it is loud and harsh (such as a tragedy or difficult trial) it’s a sharp attempt to bring us back to the blessing that we’re missing.
Easter has passed, but the chance for heavenly blessings hasn’t. New life in Christ because of the resurrection is still very much available.
With the distractions within and around us, it’s easy to miss what God has for us.
The Lord longs to bless you and me, but He limits His special blessings to those whose hearts are His, those who love, fear, hear, and obey Him. It’s important that we listen and obey. (Ps. 128, Deut. 28,)
It’s been a long time since I hunted eggs and I’m ok with that. But I don’t want to miss a treat that the Lord has prepared for me. Especially if I’m the cause for missing out. Nor do I want the Lord to have to yell at me because I’m not paying attention.
Without Him and His blessings, I’m nothing. I need His love, joy, peace, and grace for each day. I also need the gifts of the Spirit and want to gather any and all the blessings He’s prepared for me. What about you?