Burial and Resurrection

Romans 8:12-17 (Message)

So don't you see that we don't owe this old do-it-yourself life one red cent.

There's nothing in it for us, nothing at all.

The best thing to do is give it a decent burial and get on with your new life. God's Spirit beckons. There are things to do and places to go!

This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life.

It's adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike "What's next, Papa?"

God's Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are. We know who he is, and we know who we are: Father and children.

And we know we are going to get what's coming to us—an unbelievable inheritance!

We go through exactly what Christ goes through. If we go through the hard times with him, then we're certainly going to go through the good times with him!

A couple of weeks ago, I went for a long hike around the town of Waynesville, North Carolina.

I was attending an annual clergy retreat at nearby Lake Junaluska. We had the afternoon off, and I found a do-it-yourself walking tour around the beautiful old town.

Toward the end of the 6 mile journey, I read the instructions, "turn left at ____ street, and enter through the main gates of Green Hill Cemetery."

Seriously? I wasn't expecting that.

What I found was pretty amazing. The historic Green Hill cemetery is filled to capacity and has been for some time. It rests on one of the highest points around the mountainous area of Waynesville. From the crest of the tallest hill, you could see the old town spread out below.

In the distance, in all directions, beautiful trees, sky and mountains filled the view. I was surrounded by a huge crowd of silent witnesses to the beauty God has made.

I was struck to see family after family, memorialized in granite. I read the story of Waynesville's founders, and confederate battle flags decorated the graves of scores of southern soldiers who died in the civil war.

But even in that beautiful, quiet place, I could hear the sounds of cars and trucks. The hustle and bustle of the living was calling for me to join them.

And so is Romans 8. We are called to an experience of burial and resurrection, here and now.

"The best thing to do is give it a decent burial and get on with your new life. God's Spirit beckons. There are things to do and places to go!

This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life."

I didn't stay in the cemetery. It was a nice place to visit...but there are things to do, places to go.

"What's next Papa?"

Grace & Peace,

Adam