What Now?

The day after Easter is an odd day for me filled with a mixture of relief and curiosity. I am relieved that the Easter has come and gone, it was a joy to watch everything that was planned from Ash Wednesday to Easter come to fruition. Every sermon, every worship service, every Bible study were planned to bring it all together on Easter morning and create a sense of participation in the resurrection of Christ. I am curious, now that I sit in the quiet of my office, of the "what now" feeling.

For some pastors, Easter is a break in their thematic sermons or sermon series. For others it is just a part of the lectionary process and next Sunday is just a continuation of that process. But I am sure I am not alone in wondering, "What now?" What do we do now?

It's not like we can go back. We cannot backtrack and pretend Easter didn't happen. We cannot really go back to our sermon series and pretend those series are more important that what just took place. If we do, doesn't that mean the resurrection, like the birth of Christ, is just a pause in the schedule? If we do not keep moving forward from the point of resurrection doesn't that mean we haven't been transformed by the resurrection?

What now?

I have spent the morning asking that question as I stare at upcoming passages and a blank calendar. I have stared and stared and the question keeps blaring its voice at me, "WHAT NOW?"

So far, I've only been able to respond, "I guess we keep moving." It's not much of an answer but I think that's what is being spoken to me this morning, "Keep moving. Point the ship towards the horizon and keep moving." I think that will have to suffice for an answer right now.

We're headed somewhere but the where is still shaded by the fog. I just know we cannot go back. The resurrection is happening. That changes everything including the "what now".

I'm good with that.

For today.