The Power of Easter for the Non-Celebrator

Easter Has a Non-Religious Significance for Me

Today is Easter, and while millions across the globe are gathering to celebrate the Christian belief that a man named Jesus rose from the dead three days after His crucifixion about 2000 years ago proving that He was the Son of God – or God in Human form – or whatever your faith believes Him to be – I am not among them as I typically am. Today, I am home with my 5 year old son who is sick with day 6.5 of a 101+ degree fever.  But rather than focus on the disappointment of not getting to sing some of my favorite church hymns or watch the children scurry for candy-filled plastic eggs on a gorgeous Sunday morning, I’m feeling grateful for the opportunity to be home, writing this blog post, and reflecting on a different meaning of Easter.

It all ties in to my story and the personal revelation of how every bump in my road – no matter how small – has resulted in me being the person I am today. It even relates to how in the last several weeks, Virtuallinda and I have been discussing different ideas for how we can help our clients. We’ve got a very empowering product to tell you about soon, so stay tuned. And in the coming week I will finally publish my story for you to read. But for now, I’ll just share with you that the syncronicity of the universe never ceases to amaze me.

I’m Breaking Free of My Hard, Thick, Bumpy Shell

Last night was the Easter Vigil at my church. As the service began, I was standing at the back of the church with our rector as he tried to light a fire to symbolize the light of Christ. The butane lighter he was using wouldn’t work to start a small fire in a metal bowl. He whispered to me “Matches. In the Drawer,” and I went to find him something he could use to light the flame. Without the flame, he couldn’t light the Paschal candle. And without the Paschal candle, we couldn’t spread the light of Christ. So, it was a pretty big deal. And I got to light the candle. I was humbled that my light started the part of the service where we all spread the light of Christ.

Then, I was a reader. I don’t rememebr the last time I read in church. The idea of me standing in front of all those people and saying anything made my stomach turn, may knees go week, and the sweat start to pour off my face. You see, even though I can communicate very well in writing, I almost loath public speaking.  all those eyes on me waiting to hear what I have to say? Up until last night I’d have rather run screaming out of the room. But I volunteered to read because I wanted to push myself out of my comfort zone and break free of the fear holding me back for so long. Reading in front of people was empowering. And while I still got sweaty and maybe a little red in the face, I didn’t let the fear hold me back. I decided I was  ready to come out of my shell a little bit. Yes, I have a shell. A hard, thick, bumpy shell. I laugh and the notion that just because I’m willing to share parts of myself through a blog then I must be comfortable standing in front of a crowd and speaking. Well, I’m not. But, I’m working on it. Living behind my shell isn’t good for anyone, especially me.

Challenge: Let Your Light Shine

The message for the homily that followed the readings and baptism was simple: Let Your Light Shine. And at the end of the service, when I put all of the remarkable moments of the evening and my last few weeks together it became clear to me that I was finally allowing myself to shine my light a little bit more than usual. And I started to see how much the world needs my light. Sure, someone else could have struck the match that lit the flame that started the Paschal candle. And someone else could have read in my place. But that’s not what happened. I allowed my light to shine in a whole new way last night. And by allowing my light to shine, the flame got a little brighter. How poignant for this lesson to come on the eve of Easter, a time of renewal: a time to reflect on who I am and the light I can offer to the world.

It’s all very humbling to me. And while I respect the religious significance of Easter, I can’t help but think these lessons also apply to the non-Christians in the world because inside of us all is a light. That light drives us to be who we are at our very core. And if we shelter the light and hide it behind a hard, bumpy shell, it won’t get the oxygen it needs to burn brightly and grow. And eventually, it will dim and then die.

So here’s my challenge to you: whomever you are, wherever you live, and no matter your spiritual beliefs or religious affiliation, bring your light out of hiding and let it shine. You have something to offer the world that no one else does. It’s what makes you unique. And when you let your light shine, the rest of the world shines a little brighter too.