President's Blog

Easter is approaching. In my opinion it is the most significant time of the year to share Christ. Although there is a lot of indifference toward faith issues in our society, at the same time there seems to be a lot of interest in spiritual things. Easter is one of the best times of the year to scratch where many in your community are itching.

I remember reading many years back that the mini-series, Jesus, was the first TV program to top the ratings over the hit Who Wants to be a Millionaire?. I watched that mini-series. Later, that same evening on Larry King Live, Larry had guest Deepak Chopra promoting his new book, How to Know God. Larry announced tomorrow’s guest would be Billy Graham’s daughter, Anne Graham-Lotz, promoting her book, Just Give Me Jesus. At the same time, nine of the 10 top-grossing Hollywood films at the time all had spiritual overtones or supernatural themes (often evil spiritual themes). Some have said North America is experiencing a spiritual revival, however, this is the first time the Church has not been leading it. I doubt it. But there is interest. Just look at the interest the recent series, The Chosen, has generated in society.

There is no lack of spiritual hunger or thirst. People by nature are continuing to seek at least three things in an attempt to satisfy their spiritual cravings:

1. Transcendence

   We are all looking for transcendence—that marvelous sense of wanting to know God, the mystical, the revered, the divine. We wish to solve the dilemma of the God-shaped vacuum in our heart that only God can fill and satisfy. Jesus’ core message appeals to the transcendent. Mark 1:15 (NLT) states, “The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!” Jesus assures us we can know God. He made sure of that at the cross. In the movie Forest Gump, Forest is watching a Bob Hope Christmas special on television with his commanding army officer. Lt. Dan asks Forest, “Have you found Jesus yet, Gump?” Forest is a simple man who answers, “I didn’t know I was supposed to be looking for him, sir.” People are looking for transcendence but will they find it in Jesus? Tell them. Show them this Easter.

2. Significance

   Everyone needs to have a purpose for living—a reason to get out of bed each morning. Jesus addresses this in Mark 1:17 (NLT) saying: “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” A pastor was on a plane talking to his seat-mate, a CEO of a Fortune 500 corporation. He was a poster-child for the American dream. The pastor shared that his life’s work was to passionately share the love of Christ and connect people to Jesus and their incredible potential in Him. The CEO’s response was, “I would give anything to do something so meaningful!”

3. Community

   Lastly, everyone needs someone. We need to be connected into meaningful relationships. The Church offers this to a world yearning for authenticity. Even Jesus needed a small group of 12.

The Trinity addresses these three needs:

1. The Father calls us to know Him which satisfies our need for transcendence.

2. The Son’s commission offers us significance.

3. The Holy Spirit’s comfort draws us into community.

The Church can offer all of this. The[FR1]  very yearnings, deep in the hearts of the dear people in our cities, towns, and neighbourhoods, can be satisfied this Easter. Let’s all ask the Lord for one individual with whom to share these truths this next week. That’s a dangerous prayer. And one God loves to answer.