Resurrection Sunday is a reminder that the life of Jesus goes beyond the grave. Death is not the end, simply a new beginning. Let this encourage you as we focus on abiding in Christ and learning to live a life of sacrifice.

My husband, Tom, used to talk about what he had to "die to."  As he learned how to live a life unto Christ in our marriage, the Jesus in him was ready to "die to" his old self, but his flesh battled against it. He would sweetly and firmly say, "die to" as a way to remind himself of his new life in Christ.  I admired this about him and he taught me to "die to" my former ways as well.  One of my first things to "die to" was to mentally burn my laundry list of all of Tom's perceived wrong doings towards me. That was hard!  Yet, by trusting Jesus, the resurrected life began to take shape in me.

As we each daily learn to sacrifice in the little things, sometimes painstakingly so, Jesus begins to form and shape us. When an artist creates a fine sculpture, it's not always immediately clear what is being formed. In the same way, as the Master Sculptor shapes us, it's often easier to focus on the pieces that are "dropping to the ground" instead of letting go and trusting Him to do His work in us.  May today's newsletter challenge us to look beyond what we must "die to" and focus instead on Christ and experiencing the resurrected life in Him. 

A blessed resurrection Sunday to you from the team at Way of Life!