Easter is a season of hope, and how our world needs hope at this moment in time.

Reflecting the numerous signs of new life that abound in nature at this time of year, Easter reminds us there is always hope in our world, which so often seems bogged down in disaster or destruction.

We all know good news doesn’t sell newspapers, whereas news of troubles and terrible happenings seems to capture the imagination of readers, but I must say news from around the world has been somewhat alarming over recent weeks, and it seems there is nothing we can do individually to make things better for those caught up in major disagreements, wars and suffering.

But there is. We can do something. That’s what Christian hope is all about.

We can make a difference where we find ourselves and do all we can to help those we meet in daily life. We can encourage those around us who are finding life difficult.

We can pray faithfully that God can and will nudge world leaders and their teams to act with compassion and love for those they serve.

Because Easter reminds us how God, in human form, trod the path of life, experiencing rejection and betrayal and that terrible death on a cross, only to burst from his earthly tomb three days later, offering a new way of being through life and through death to eternal life with him.

Easter reminds us of God’s amazing love for us and all creation, based on forgiveness and that offer of a new way of being, reminding us that change is always possible as God encourages us to learn from our mistakes and move on into his future of reconciliation and hope.

That’s why Jesus died on the cross that first Good Friday, and why God raised him to new life that first Easter morning. We see so many signs of new life bursting each day, which all remind us of the new birth God offers once again this Eastertide, and all that God does for us and our world every single day.

So let’s encourage one another and be encouraged this Easter. Let’s be intentional in making a difference through our actions and prayers together. Easter blessings to you all.