Easter weather is all over the map.  At least, it is in our part of the map in southern Ohio.  Grey clouds and rain are often the reality of our area.  Sometimes, there is snow.  Sometimes so-called “Sunrise Services” (which churches often try to have outside) end up inside.  This move inside often disappoints only very hardy souls.  March and April in Jerusalem are often much more pleasant than the same times here.

Today started out cold and grey.  I took our little dog for a two-mile walk.  She seemed okay with that.  I was more than a bit down.  I was not feeling all that well physically.  The cold and grey seemed to have seeped into my soul.

However, my wife had gotten me some new clothes.  I have to admit it: The clothes may not make the man; but they can sometimes make the man feel better.  Then too, as worship time neared, a few shards of blue began to poke through the clouds.

The worship was wonderful, as was the sermon.  And the Easter bunny was in the lobby on the way out.  I’ve never been a big fan of the Easter bunny, but I must admit that I smiled and went over to say “Hi!”  I couldn’t find my wife to head on home anyway, so I thought, why not?

And there was my wife chatting with the Easter bunny!  I had to practically drag her away.  (Well, not really.)

And then, we walked outside.  It was much warmer, the sky was a bright blue with only a few fluffy clouds.

I am a Christian, and I do believe that Jesus was raised from the dead.  I don’t always act as if I believed that, but I do believe it, nevertheless.  Decades ago, when I became an atheist, the first thing to go was the resurrection.  I realized that, if the resurrection was true, then atheism wasn’t very tenable.  So, I simply said that the disciples just made it all up.

I gradually (and rather reluctantly) came to the conclusion that the resurrection of Jesus was the best explanation for how a bunch of bumbling idiots (the disciples, as they are portrayed in the Gospel accounts) could suddenly begin changing the world.  It was also the best explanation for how a man who hated Christians and their faith and persecuted them to the death (Saul of Tarsus) could become the leading proponent of the faith he had tried to destroy.

So, what has this got to do with Easter weather in southern Ohio and with my own proneness to foul moods triggered by foul weather?  Nothing, really—except for this: If Jesus really did die for the sins of the entire world (which quite likely includes me), and if Jesus really did come out of the tomb, then perhaps my internal weather is not necessarily dependent upon the outside weather.

Crowded House did a song that I like a lot.  Here are the lyrics:

“Walking ’round the room singing Stormy Weather
At Fifty Seven Mount Pleasant Street
Well it’s the same room, but everything’s different
You can fight the sleep, but not the dream

Things ain’t cookin’ in my kitchen
Strange affliction wash over me
Julius Caesar and the Roman Empire
Couldn’t conquer the blue sky

Well, there’s a small boat made of china
It’s going nowhere on the mantlepiece
Well, do I lie like a loungeroom lizard
Or do I sing like a bird released?

Everywhere you go, always take the weather with you

[etc.] . . . .”

Perhaps, in light of Jesus’ resurrection, I can sing like a bird released.  Maybe I can take good weather with me.