Notes from Perry Street: A Special Easter Message
By CORBY CARLIN WINTERS, Ambassador At Large
It is Spring and I can’t help but feel the anticipation of Easter. My heart is always filled with so many emotions. I have been so grateful for God’s grace and mercy.
I came to know Christ in a personal way in February of the 8th grade when I transferred to a small Christian School in Tulsa. Since then, life has taken on a whole new meaning. God, the school, the teachers and my parents’ faith changed the trajectory of my life.
School was so hard but the decision to go to Eastwood was transformative. In the third grade I was diagnosed with Dyslexia, as well as a learning disability. Even with all my challenges, I still went to college and earned a Master’s degree.
My struggles, as my parents used to say, made me stronger. Jesus connected me with people who helped me succeed despite my limitations. He is all about connecting people to people.
Yet, the struggles we face since COVID prove that we are not necessarily stronger. The isolation and arguments about how to deal with the deadly disease affected us all. We became divided and angry. Families and friends became estranged and polarized.
Churches and Christians were not immune to this. Church attendance is down. Rather than returning to church, many have opted to attend church by streaming it. All this does is reinforce our isolation and a disconnect with other Christians. The Bible does not say we have to go to church, but it continually encourages us to worship together.
Church provides us with fellowship, connects us with the community and strengthens us. It can stir the flames of faith in our hearts and help us stay strong in our faith and give opportunities for ministry and to serve others.
I think most of us prayed things would calm down after the presidential election, but it seems there is an escalation of stress, anxiety and fear.
I pray this Easter will bring restoration and that you will feel God’s peace. I wish you a spirit of power and love and a sound mind. And I pray your heart is full of peace and love for others. Most importantly, I pray you will find your place and purpose in this world and that you know you are significant in God’s Kingdom.
I wanted to share the following prayer in this column because it is so profound and perfect for the times that we face. The first time I ever heard the following prayer was in 9th grade in Mrs. Kover’s Bible Class. She played John Micheal Tablot singing a song called The Peace Prayer. It made an indelible mark on me.
The Prayer is by Saint Francis of Assisi. These words echo how we can walk out our faith everyday in very difficult times. It speaks of such truth and peace. I pray it brings you hope and peace in your heart.
Lord make me an instrument of the Peace.
Where there is hatred let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.
Lord, grant that I do not so seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love; for it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning, that we are pardoned and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Be blessed and encouraged my dear friends as we search for peace and seek it eagerly. I Peter 3:11
