the end of the beginning

Easter Sunday. My youth pastor sang the song End of the Beginning during the offering. It was my first time hearing it and it really ministered to me. Here are the lyrics:

I was takin a trip on a plane the other day just wishing that I could get out.
When the man next to me saw the book in my hand
and asked me what it was about.


So I settled back in my seat-
"A best seller," I said.
"A history, a mystery in one."
And then I opened up the book and began to read
from Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.


He was born of a virgin one holy night
in the little town of Bethlehem.
Angels gathered round him underneath the stars
singing praises to the great I Am.
He walked on the water, healed the lame and made the blind to see again.


And for the first time here on earth we learned that God could be a friend.
And though he never ever did a single thing wrong
the angry crowd chose him. And then he walked down the road
and died on the cross and that was the end of the beginning.


"Thats not a new book thats a bible," he said, "and I've heard it all before.
I've tried religion- its shame and guilt and I dont need it anymore.
It's superstition, made up tales and just to help the weak to survive."
"Let me read it again," I said, "listen closely, cuz this is gonna change your life.


"The end of the beginning," he said with a smile.
"What more could there be? He's dead.
You said they hung him, put nails in His hands
and a crown of thorns on His head."


I said, "I'll read it again but this time there's more,
and I believe that this is true.
His death wasn't the end, the beginning of life
that's completed in you.
Don't you see he did all this for you!"


He was born of a virgin one holy night
in the little town of Bethlehem
All the angles singing praises to the great I AM
He walked on the water, healed the lame,
and made the blind to see
(and for the first time here on earth)


Did you know that God could be a friend.
Tho He never ever did a single thing wrong,
He was the one the crowd chose.
then he walked and he died but


three days later (3x) HE ROSE!!!!!!!!


Three days later he rose!
You see he came, he lived, and he died.
But that was the end of the beginning.

This song to me just hit the nail on the head. I pray God gives me opportunities to present Him to people. I want to present God to those people who have misunderstood it. Sadly, there are many who are misguided by "Christians" who are judgemental and religious. Let's have relationships.

That is what God wants. He wants us to have a true and growing relationship with Him. That is why He sent His son. His son died on a cross so that we could have the option of being in God's presence. Without Christ we were all condemned. We were the living dead, just existing. Existing, because it's not until you have a relationship with God that you truly are living.

When Christ died it was the end of the beginning. We are new creations in Him. Our old lives ended. And this is the beginning of our lives. This sense of freshness is wonderful. We can rejoice because Christ has risen and we are made new. What a miraculous thing God did for love.