We all love Easter. Particularly after a tough Lent. This year’s felt heavy.

Each year, I struggle with the scope of the great story arc that we deal with in Holy Week–with the rise and fall of Jesus of Nazareth. Then the fall and rise of the Christ. I have always taken this as the epic story that it is. But this year was different.

What if taking up our cross and following Jesus is as serious as it sounds?

You don’t get a new beginning if the cross isn’t really the end.

Each year we are invited to say goodbye to our BS and become closer to what GOD wants. I have to believe that none of this can work without each part. Living, dying, rising.

Skip a step and it doesn’t work. And each year, we get the chance to do it right. Is this your year?