By: Elizabeth Haarberg

After the Party is Over

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

The anticipation of Easter and Christmas can be exciting. We enjoy buying new clothes for the services and for pictures, buying gifts, and hiding eggs. But what happens when the excitement is over?

Jesus’ disciples also experienced this. After Jesus left to go to the Father, the disciples just looked at the sky wondering what to do next.

“Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” Acts 1:11 English Standard Version

The disciples then leave and go to Jerusalem. What they did next is direction that we can use for post-Easter letdown.

“All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.” Acts 1:14 English Standard Version

The group prayed until they got direction on what to do next.

If you are struggling or checking out after Easter, I encourage you to devote yourself to prayer. It’s easy to get excited about the events in the church, but the everyday devotion to Jesus is where He wants us. He doesn’t want a party; He wants a relationship.

The plants in the picture are a testimony to the feeling many have after the celebration ends. Kind of dry and wilting. We need spiritual water that only the Holy Spirit can give.

“If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink! He who believes in Me [who adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Me], as the Scripture has said, ‘From his innermost being will flow continually rivers of living water.’ But He was speaking of the [Holy] Spirit, whom those who believed in Him [as Savior] were to receive afterward. The Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified (raised to honor).” John 7:37-39 Amplified Bible

The Holy Spirit was the next visitor to Earth after Jesus left so as to fill the disciples with life and power. The same Spirit that came that day is still possible.

Take a drink of all God has for you. After the party is over there is even more love, power, encouragement, and strength available to those who ask.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado