The rain was coming down in torrents! I’d never seen such heavy rain. We stopped twice because the visibility was impossible. Water stood on the highways making it dangerous to drive. It was about three in the afternoon on good Friday.

How appropriate! I could only imagine what the world experienced during the earthquake when Jesus died. I’m sure they were terrified, just as we were on the highway as lightning flashed across the sky. The Roman officers, to their credit, finally recognized the truth!

 ^“Then Jesus shouted out again, and he released his spirit. At that moment the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, rocks split apart, and tombs opened. The bodies of many godly men and women who had died were raised from the dead. They left the cemetery after Jesus’ resurrection, went into the holy city of Jerusalem, and appeared to many people. The Roman officer and the other soldiers at the crucifixion were terrified by the earthquake and all that had happened. They said, ‘This man truly was the Son of God!’” (Matthew 27:50-54)

Even though the rain was relentless and the winds were fierce, we finally made it to Myrtle Beach and got settled in for the week. Then came Rotten Saturday, as my Mother used to call it. Cold and very, very windy, it was not a good day to be on the ocean. Two red flags on the beach warned us not to be near the water. We stayed in–and waited.

And then came Sunday! A glorious morning, we stood on the beach and watched the sunrise, singing Amazing Grace and reading the Scriptures about the second earthquake in the resurrection story:

“Suddenly there was a great earthquake! For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled aside the stone, and sat on it.” (Matthew 28:2 NLT)

This earthquake, unlike the first, was a time for celebration! Jesus Christ was alive! He had risen from the dead! Good news!

With great joy in our hearts, a sausage biscuit in one hand, and a cup of coffee in the other, we next jumped in the car and headed to Wilmington—over an hour’s drive away—for a nine o’clock worship service with my grandson Luke and his wife Hayley. It was truly a glorious time of worship at Life Point Church.

The message? Reclaimed! And how it resonated! That’s what we are! Reclaimed and re-purposed for God’s glory.

^“He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them. . . This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (2 Cor. 5:15, 17 NLT)

After church, we spent a wonderful day of fellowship with my precious family and headed back to Myrtle Beach. As we stood watching the moon rise over the now-calm ocean, I felt what the apostles must have felt when they finally grasped the truth: He’s alive! He is risen! We can rest in His peace.

A wonderful song from Sunday worship now plays in my head! Check it out. It’s powerful. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-iPu2WjqdM

Still Rolling Stones

Lauren Daigle

Out of the shadows
Bound for the gallows
A dead man walking
Till love came calling
Rise up (rise up)

Six feet under
I thought it was over
An answer to prayer
The voice of a Savior
Rise up (rise up)

All at once I came alive
This beating heart, these open eyes
The grave let go
The darkness should have known
(You’re still rolling rolling, you’re still rolling rolling oh)

Now that You saved me
I sing ’cause You gave me
A song of revival
I put it on vinyl
Rise up (rise up)

I once was blinded
But now I see it
I heard about the power
And now I believe it
Rise up (rise up)

(Chorus)

I thought that I was too far gone
For everything I’ve done wrong
Yeah, I’m the one who dug this grave
But You called my name
You called my name
(Chorus)

Has Jesus rolled the stone away for you? Have you allowed him to save you? Have you found your purpose—to bring glory to HIM? Have you been reclaimed and re-purposed? If not, I pray you run to him and accept his forgiveness. Let him remake you into the person he wants you to be!

If you’d like to share your experience, strength, and hope, I’d love to hear from you! Many blessings.