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“So, the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy and ran to tell His disciples.”  Matthew 28:8 (NIV)

Fear blended with an edge of joy or was it joy blended with an edge of fear?  We’ve all been there when we walked the tightrope of exhilarating faith only to greet piercing doubt.  Our heart flutters at the concept that all we dreamed, hoped for and believed was true.  And then a silver of doubt courses in bursting our bubble with a sharp needle of fear.  It’s a balancing act that requires careful precision or we cave in to fears and doubts missing the joy and faith.

Quite a challenge for the disciples and those who were eyewitnesses to the miracles of Jesus.  Walking alongside Him on dusty roads.  Sitting on the mountain side as Jesus taught.  Breaking bread around the table.  Catching fish in the deep.  Walking on water.  Receiving His healing.  An entry into Jerusalem with loud Hosannas!    Bruised and wounded. Nails piercing His hands.  “It is finished” resounded.  Darkness filled the sky. And then He who they knew, followed and loved was gone. The sting of death surrounded them.

Three days later, early in the dawn light, two women toggle on the edge of joy and fear as they seek their crucified Lord.  Heavy grieving hearts meet the revelation of an empty tomb. Can you see the shimmer of hope in their eyes as they peeked inside?  Can you sense the tremble in their footsteps as they hurried away?  Fearful from what they had seen, yet filled with joy – He is alive!  And within moments they find themselves worshipping at His feet.  Not fully understanding, yet totally overwhelmed – Jesus is alive!

I’ve been there – how about you?  When we exchange the dead places in our lives for a resurrected new birth, we find ourselves on the edge of joy and fear.  Excited and clinging to hope yet fearful of the events unfolding before our eyes.  We’ve never felt so close to God and yet so unsure of ourselves.  We dangle on the tightrope of faith and doubt.  Yet when we cling to His name, His character and His promises, we find ourselves completely balanced.  And within moments we’re worshipping at His feet – all fear erased.

“Father, the empty tomb unveils the glory of Your resurrected body living, breathing in the heart of Your children.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life