Happy to be alive in Christ

There is an older italian immigrant who works at our local grocery store and when we ask him how he is doing, he always answers: "I'm happy to be alive in Christ!"

His response encourages me, a follower of Christ, to remember that my joy is not grounded in my circumstances, but in the life Christ has given me, through His death and ressurection. I am not always happy, you know I'm not perfect, and I don't always like what life throws my way. But when I remember who Christ is and what He has done, I can be glad I am going through all of it with Him.

So, as tomorrow my family and I will be celebrating Easter, I am reminded that this is the most important day of all to me. It is at the center of all I am and do. And because Jesus is Alive, I too can be alive in Him.

One of my favorite songs is called "In Christ Alone" by Stuart Townend and Keith Getty. If you want to hear it, it's on YouTube. I would have posted it here, but I had trouble setting up my blog. So I just leave you the lyrics:

In Christ alone my hope is found,
He is my light, my strength, my song;
This Cornerstone, this solid ground,
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease;
My Comforter, my All in All,
Here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones he came to save;
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied -
For every sin on Him was laid;
Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain;
Then bursting forth in glorious day
Up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me,
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death,
This is the power of Christ in me;
From life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home,
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand.

Wishing you a Happy Easter!