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Happy Easter 2020!  Not a typical year in any way, that is certain.  COVID-19 has dictated many situations for all of us including but not limited to: businesses & restaurants closed, schools closed, people working from home, stay at home orders, families separated to stay healthy, and no Easter or regular services at churches.  So, you may look at the title of this blog and say, “Ummmm, Tawnya, you got that wrong, the churches are empty!”  And, my response is, “Yes the church buildings are empty but the church is not now, and never has been, about a building!”

In the early church of Acts, the believers “were together and had all things in common.” Acts 2:44 ESV   These early Christ followers did not have to be in a building to be the church, and neither do we.  In fact, I have witnessed some amazing actions in recent days that taken the love and grace of Jesus and delivered them no where near the walls of a sanctuary.  Even though we are in unprecedented times, people are finding new ways to care: drive by parade birthday parties, hundreds of cars worshipping around hospital buildings, zoom parties, family get togethers and even Bible studies, and donated food and supplies.  It is true that we can not “meet together” but we can continue to show the love of Jesus, especially in these trying times.

How?  Jesus is no longer in the tomb- He is alive and so is his power, love, grace and all of that is ours because he is alive inside each believer!  Ephesians 3:17-18 says “So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith– that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” ESV   Because He lives, his fullness lives within us.  And, there is no better time than during a pandemic, to use that fullness to bless others.  Do what you can, with what you have, for those you can! Send a card, encourage from a distance, check in on those who are alone, and PRAY for everyone.  It would be easy right now to sit back and wallow in self pity, but God has given his fullness so we can show the love of Jesus to those around us.

So, here is my challenge to you.

1. Accept the fullness of God. (If you have never accepted Christ and want to know how, message me, I would love to explain.)

2. Practice and show the fullness of God in a time that we need it like no other before.

    3. Pray for others and praise our God for his faithfulness.

Remember the tomb is empty and the church is FULL of the fullness of Christ, now do something with it!  Happy Easter!!!!