Because it’s Easter…

I was thinking (scary, isn’t it?) the other day about the spiritual temperature of our great country, the good ol’ USA. The nature of God, who he is and what he does is being pressured often times into being relegated to being a “non-entity.” I think this separation of church and state has gone too far, but that’s a story for another day, perhaps. However, I enjoyed greatly a visit to Washington, DC several years ago and you would not believe all the scriptural references throughout that city. Biblical verses are interspersed throughout most of the Federal Government buildings. It is truly amazing and inspirational given the spiritual direction our country has taken the last forty years or so. But no one will ever be able to take God out of our country because of EASTER!!

You see, because of Easter, we have the three greatest attributes possible—Faith, Hope & Love. St. Paul tells us that at the end of our lives, each one of us will be measured on these three attributes and the greatest of these three, he says, is Love.

Easter is the Christian’s belief that Jesus Christ rose from the dead. And because that belief is instilled in Christianity, it tells us “that anything is possible.” Anything.

Because of Easter we all have a need and desire to help. A need to reach out to the less fortunate. Friends, neighbors and even strangers who happen to be in a position of not being able to help themselves at the moment. Because of Easter, we have so many volunteer organizations with their mission being to help those who cannot help themselves. Because of Easter, we have Fish Frys, Spaghetti Suppers, Chili & Beef Stew suppers, Pancake Breakfasts, Bake Sales, Community Dinners at holiday times and so many other things that require volunteer hours and tremendous hard work. Why? To raise money to help others out. Because of Easter we have an organization called “Relay For Life” which raises money through all kinds of volunteers to find a cure!

Because of Easter, the belief that anything’s possible, we have organizations such as the Salvation Army and the Red Cross, both strong Christian organizations. Don’t you just love all the “bell ringers” during the Christmas season? Why do they do this? Because Easter’s coming. The Resurrection is coming. And who are the first responders to a national or local disaster? The Red Cross, of course. I remember those volunteers coming daily to bring meals to those during our terrible floods. Because of Easter, we also have a day set aside to give thanks. We call it Thanksgiving.

Because of Easter, we have Meals on Wheels, Fill The Boot, the Food Pantry, and again the list goes on and on. Because of Easter, the local church is usually the first place friends and strangers in need come for help. Every organization is about people helping people. And why is that? Why do YOU do what you do? Because of Easter, YOU have a desire to help, no, a need to help. Because so often, we can probably say, “There but for the grace of God, go I.”

Because of Easter, we truly heed the words of the Master Himself, “What you’ve done to the least of my brethren, you’ve done unto me.”

Because of Easter, life has meaning and direction and an opportunity to start fresh; to begin anew…no matter what the circumstances of your life right now. Because of Easter, we are a community of friends and neighbors helping friends and neighbors. Thank God for Easter!!

That’s The Way I See It. Let me know how you see things at

jsheda@indytel.com or call me at 319-334-4117. Love to hear from you and HAPPY EASTER TO Y’ALL. And as Lucy Van Pelt of the comic strip Peanuts said, “All you need is love, but a little chocolate on Easter helps too