In 2015 the Chicago Cubs’ 4-0 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates in the National League Baseball Wild Card playoff game represented a new era for Cub fans. We became hopeful, enthusiastic and excited about the future.
Jake Arrieta’s pitching was typical for this outstanding athlete, who finished the regular season with a 22-6 record, a 1.77 earned-run average, four complete games and three shutouts. He is poised and confident on the mound, and his teammates share his confidence; they seem to play a little harder, run a little faster and make spectacular plays to support his pitching efforts.
When Jesus Christ rose from the dead after His crucifixion, He ushered in a new era of hope in the world. Sinners who had thought they would die estranged from God now found the Way to God opened by Christ’s blood shed on the cross. His church is called to emulate her Head’s life of sacrifice, love and mercy. She behaves a little differently because the Spirit fills her with the knowledge of God in Christ through the Scriptures, worship and the sacraments. She does not speak like the world, but, instead, proclaims the message of Good News: through Christ’s reconciliation, redemption and salvation have come to the world.
The church in the world celebrates the joy of the resurrection so all the world will know “God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them” (2 Corinthians 5:19).
Denise Larson Cooper has a passion for Christ and sharing His Word. A wife and mother of two daughters, Denise currently works as a gymnastic coach.
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Godnesia: Keeping God in Mind Each Day http://amzn.to/2GSquOD
Ordinary Days With an Extraordinary Savior – http://amzn.to/2mFGASBLife Is a Metaphor: Recognizing God in the Everyday – http://amzn.to/2De1rU2