"Do not abandon yourselves to despair. We are the Easter people, and hallelujah is our song."~Pope John Paul II
We live in a world where so many people are dealing with hard things. There are health issues, employment issues, family issues -- the list just goes on and on. Sometimes my heart breaks for my friends and loved ones and sometimes it aches for myself. Life is not easy and it's so easy to get discouraged and even to feel despair.
As I contemplated these things, I was reminded of a wonderful Conference talk given by Joseph B. Wirthlin, entitled "Sunday Will Come". It was given in 2006 but was so powerful for me that I have never forgotten it and go back and re-read it fairly often. He talks about the crucifixion of the Savior and how dark it was that day (physically and spiritually) -- but reminded us that that terrible day did not remain. And despite the fact that we may be in the midst of a terrible 'day' in our lives, that our Sunday (and the brightness and joy it brings) will surely come.
I used the above quote last year at this time as well and it too has stuck with me. I need to remember that despite the darkness we all find in our lives from time to time, that we need not despair, because Sunday will come. And it will come because of the priceless gift that our Savior Jesus Christ gave us at this Easter time: His atoning sacrifice and resurrection.
So indeed, we need not (and must not) abandon ourselves to despair because we are the Easter people!
Hallelujah!
