A TIME TO RETROSPECT AND RESURRECT
Easter Reflections
By Rayola Osanya-Nyynéque
Easter is a season where the world focuses on Jesus' death, burial and resurrection. Just as the original event marked a transition and the period following it sparked a new beginning, I believe that we all can use the occasion of Easter for healthy reflection and retrospection, and experience spiritual resurrection and re-direction.
Whether we feel that the first quarter of the year has been smooth and successful or forgettable and regrettable, we all have opportunity to look back at the last three months and draw lessons from both our trials and our triumphs. We have opportunity to stand at the foot of the cross and look up to our servant king. We have opportunity to draw inspiration from our Lord, to whom belongs the name that is above all names, and who, in sacrifice was raised above all men.
We have opportunity to be motivated afresh.
Just like "the centurion, seeing what had happened," (Luke 23:47) we, too can praise God. Just like the women, who found that the grave was empty, "afraid yet filled with joy" (Matthew 28:8), we, too can run to tell others. Just like the disciples who were convinced that there Lord was back, we, too may worship him. And just like Jesus, "who endured such opposition from sinful men," (Hebrews 12:3) and through it all "entrusted himself to him who judges justly" (1 Peter 2:23), let us rise above the issues that have held us down, let us be raised to a new level in the fabric of our faith and the substance of our spirituality, for we are implored: "humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up." (James 4:10)
This is a lesson I learnt during Easter from the Nairobi North and Youth Ministry fun time on Good Friday:
Whether we feel that the first quarter of the year has been smooth and successful or forgettable and regrettable, we all have opportunity to look back at the last three months and draw lessons from both our trials and our triumphs. We have opportunity to stand at the foot of the cross and look up to our servant king. We have opportunity to draw inspiration from our Lord, to whom belongs the name that is above all names, and who, in sacrifice was raised above all men.
We have opportunity to be motivated afresh.
Just like "the centurion, seeing what had happened," (Luke 23:47) we, too can praise God. Just like the women, who found that the grave was empty, "afraid yet filled with joy" (Matthew 28:8), we, too can run to tell others. Just like the disciples who were convinced that there Lord was back, we, too may worship him. And just like Jesus, "who endured such opposition from sinful men," (Hebrews 12:3) and through it all "entrusted himself to him who judges justly" (1 Peter 2:23), let us rise above the issues that have held us down, let us be raised to a new level in the fabric of our faith and the substance of our spirituality, for we are implored: "humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up." (James 4:10)
This is a lesson I learnt during Easter from the Nairobi North and Youth Ministry fun time on Good Friday:
 If we stand together,
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 plan together
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 and pull together
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Then we will win,
I wish all a great rest-of-2006.
 and have cause to cheer
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 and to dance.
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I wish all a great rest-of-2006.