In the wee hours of the morning on Easter Sunday, I sat outside on my deck waiting for the sun to rise. (This is not because I am super spiritual or even remotely a morning person but because my golden retriever puppy insists on getting up way before the sun.) As I sat in the stillness, I was deeply moved by an Easter devotional given by a beloved mentor who talked about the difference between being “buried” and being “planted.” 

When you think about it, the external circumstances of being buried and being planted look exactly alike. Both involve digging a hole in the dirt, placing something in the ground, and covering it with dirt. This immediately brought to mind the backyard burial of my son’s bearded dragon, Spike, who upon dying, received a very fine funeral service and was placed into a shallow grave in our background. Spike was buried with no hope of coming back to life.

However, we also do this same thing to seeds, which appear to be buried in a shallow grave but are actually planted. By some miraculous life force, they take root and send a shoot up through the ground and bear beautiful blooms or delicious food we can eat. Seeds can remain dormant under the ground for years only to take root, begin to grow, and find their way eventually to the surface. They even have the force to break through concrete, as we have all witnessed from time to time.

Sometimes, we feel buried. I wouldn’t be completely honest if I didn’t admit that at times in my life – and in recent days – I felt buried deep below newly poured concrete. But on Easter morning, I was reminded: thanks to God’s incredible victory over death, I have not been buried. I have been planted.

That morning, I also meditated on this scripture:

“Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? The sting of death is sin and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers and sister, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourself fully to the work of the Lord because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” I Cor. 15:55-58

I felt as though God were speaking those words directly into my heart. Every time Calvin Crest appears to get buried – whether through death, financial hardships, leadership changes, identity crisis, natural disasters like drought, fire, or wind, God has in fact only been planting this sacred ministry. He is always about resurrection, new life, and transformation. Only God transforms death into life. While we forget at times and think we are responsible, only God can make seeds grow into something beautiful. What a fantastic reminder this Easter season. 

So, if you are like me, and you are feeling buried in your current circumstances, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Continue to give yourself fully to the work of the Lord. Your labor is not in vain. You are not being buried. You are being planted.

To listen to the Easter devotional referenced above, go to: https://youtu.be/1Gt6q1ls2BU. It is so worth your time!

Are you planning to join us this summer?

The staff at Calvin Crest are praying for another life-changing summer as people of all ages encounter God, who transforms life in death and brings fresh hope and rest. Specifically, we are praying that each one who comes…

• feels the warmth and love of Jesus in the eyes and hearts of the staff.
• feels the joy of Jesus in laughter and lightness of His Spirit.
• feels the rest of Jesus in the quiet and peace of His goodness.
• experiences awestruck wonder at the beauty of His creation.
• experiences His presence as close as the air he or she breathes.
• experiences the dispelling of despair and know the hope that only comes from Jesus.
• takes steps closer to Him, no matter where they are on their spiritual journey.
• will be transformed a little more into His likeness.
• connects on a deep soul level with loved ones.
• will make memories to be carried forward for a lifetime. 

We hope and pray that you will consider joining us this summer as we provide a Covid-safe environment to rest, play, and connect.