Our lives can feel so empty when loved ones leave us, whether through death, family or friends leaving home or moving, or troubles that take their minds or hearts away from us. Empty chairs. Empty places. Empty hearts.
But not every empty is sad.
I remember a story of a 9-year-old boy with Down’s Syndrome whose Sunday school teacher made certain Philip was treated like everyone else. But some children left him out, because he was different.
A week before Easter, the teacher said, “I have a plastic egg for each of you. Find something that reminds you of life. Put it inside your egg, and bring it back next week.”
The next week the teacher gathered together all the eggs. One by one, he opened the eggs and found a flower, a blade of grass, a butterfly, and even a stone. Then he opened one that was empty.
“Someone did it wrong,” said some children.
As the teacher stared at the empty egg, a hand tugged his shirt.
“I didn’t do it wrong,” said Philip. “The tomb is empty!”
The teacher used this empty egg as an illustration of the glorious Easter message.
With mourning hearts, some women visited Jesus’ grave. Their hearts felt so empty of Jesus. When they arrived, they saw the stone that closed off the grave was rolled away. An angel sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow.
Shaking with fear, probably with rounded eyes and gaping mouths, they were speechless.
Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” he said.
“I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.
He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as He said would happen.
Come, see where His body was lying.”
Matthew 28:5-6 NLT
Looking in the grave, they found it empty of Jesus. He is not here! He is risen!
Though still frightened, their empty hearts filled with new life and joy as they ran to tell the disciples as the angel had instructed them.
On the way, Jesus met them. They ran to Him, grasped His feet, and worshiped Him. And Jesus again told them, “Don’t be afraid. Go tell My brothers. They will soon see Me.”
Jesus is alive! Because the tomb is empty, our hearts may be filled with life everlasting! Our hearts no longer have to feel so empty. There is hope. Death has been conquered and defeated. Abundant life is possible and freely given.
“Dance Your Shoes Off” or “Rise Up”
by Second Baptist Church in Houston
I know I shared this before, but I’d like to share it with you again. It still gives me goosebumps and lifts my spirit to rise up in praise along with them. I hope it will fill your empty hearts with hope and joy. More than 2,000 people gathered to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. The purpose of “Dance Your Shoes Off” was to proclaim the resurrection of Jesus Christ in a powerful and celebratory way. Each participant left a new pair of shoes on the field for those in need.
“We claim the victory
He won on Calvary
Celebrate the King of Glory
So rise up
People of the Lord, rise up.”
Linking up with:
Holley – Coffee For Your Heart
Jennifer – Tell His Story
Kelly – Cheerleaders of Faith
Barbie – Weekend Whispers
Freed to Fly 
There is so much hope in ’empty’ isn’t there? Often we don’t see this in our flesh, but God asks us to empty ourselves to be filled by all that is good. I just love that video. I am going to share it on my Inspiring Hope facebook page on Easter Sunday. Thanks T.
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Yes, there is so much hope in “empty.” I love that you write about how God asks us to empty ourselves to be filled. So very true. I’m so glad you enjoyed the video and will share it. It’s so inspiring, isn’t it? I’m not on Facebook, but I was still able to see your page. I clicked into the .org site, too. Such a great cause! May God bless your work in inspiring hope in others! Hugs to you, Lynn!
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As the news unfold of the Belgium explosions today, what a comfort to turn our eyes to the fact that He is risen, He reigns. Victory is His. Thank you for perspective this morning, Trudy!
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You’re welcome, Sita. Because He is risen and has gained the victory, there is always hope, no matter what devastating events happen in this world. It’s so sad and scary what is happening, isn’t it? Sometimes I picture Jesus looking at our world with tears dripping from His eyes. May we flee to our one and only Refuge and trust in His power to redeem! Hugs!
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Trudy,
Such hope in an empty tomb…Yes…I agree with you: I do believe Jesus weeps because people have chose hatred instead of his love…Just sent a subscribers only email and I linked to your blog to thank you for letting me know about the problem with my blog posts not being sent to subscribers. A blessed Easter to you, my friend. We have hope because He lives!
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Yes, such hope in that empty tomb. I can’t imagine living without it. I got the subscriber’s email. I unsubscribed and resubscribed, so maybe that helped. Hopefully the posts will come now, too. I hope no one else had the problem. A blessed Easter to you, too, Dolly! Because He lives, we can face tomorrow! Hugs!
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I love the story about Philip. The empty tomb is the ultimate sign of hope and life . And I love how, when we feel empty, God can draw close as he did for those women the first Easter and fill our hearts with joy and hope in him. Have a lovely and hope-filled Easter!
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Thank you, Carly. I love that story, too. I believe God gives an extra special gift to those with Downs Syndrome. Yes, isn’t it amazing how God can fill empty hearts with joy and hope in Him? I hope we may be as joyous as those women were. You have a lovely and hope-filled Easter as well! Hugs!
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Praise God, Christ is risen indeed! What a marvelous gift we’ve been given!
Celebrating with you, Trudy …
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Thank you for stopping by and celebrating with me, Linda. 🙂 Yes, Christ is risen indeed! May you have a joy-filled Easter! Hugs!
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Trudy,
What joy that we can celebrate the empty tomb like the children with their Easter eggs in the story you shared! So much to rejoice in this week as we contemplate these days that call us to contemplate, rejoice and celebrate. Praying that Easter is glorious for you, my friend! xo
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Thank you, Valerie. Yes, there is so much reason to rejoice. Our hearts don’t have to feel empty when we have a living Jesus! May you have a glorious Easter, too! Hugs!
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What a sweet story, Trudy. And the Dance Your Shoes video gives me goosebumps too … every time I see it! Hugs!
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I’m glad you found hope in this story and the video, Lois. Goosebumps of awe, right? That video really helped me again this year to feel more celebratory. Jesus truly is alive! He is with us and for us 24/7! May you have a joy-filled Easter! Hugs!
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Oh the wisdom and openness of the young when they simply share from their lovely hearts! I love the story of Philip and “dance your shoes off” is always worth seeing again and again. Their joy is palpable, isn’t it? How my heart (and body) longed to be there with them, moving freely and joyfully! This is a beautiful post full of exuberant enthusiasm for the wonderful fact of Christ’s resurrection. He is alive!! We are set free. The tomb is empty and our hearts are full of thanksgiving and praise. Happy Easter to you, sweet, encouraging friend! May you truly savour this remembrance of the joy of your salvation. Blessings and hugs. Xox ❤
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Thank you, Joy. I’m so glad you found encouragement here. From the mouths of babes, He has perfected praise, right? I know what you mean with the video. The dancers are so exuberant and joyful. He is risen! He is alive! He gained the victory for us then, now, and forever! May He empty us of the oppression of past pain and fill us with His love and life so we may dance freely and joyfully! Have a joy-filled Easter! Hugs!
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So much hope in the promise of new beginnings and restoration. Grateful that our God is risen, alive and at work in each of our lives.
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Me, too, Tiffany! Because He is risen, we can have restoration. I love how you say He is “alive and at work in each of our lives.” Amen! May God fill you with hope and joy this Easter and always! Hugs!
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Trudi! I loved this! thank you for sharing it! I have not seen that video – so so good and all your words too- Thank you – thank you! sending Easter love and hugs! xoxo
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I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Susie. Isn’t that video amazing? It always encourages me to “rise up” out of the gloom. Jesus is not dead. He is alive forevermore and is with us always! Easter love and hugs to you, too! May it be a joy-filled day for you and your family!
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What a sweet illustration for Easter! Love this – thanks for sharing this encouragement today 🙂
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Welcome Jordan. I’m so glad you were encouraged. He is risen indeed! May you have a joy-filled Easter! Hugs!
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Hi Trudy! I really like that story about the boy with the empty egg. It seems that he is the real star of the class! He understood the meaning of Easter 🙂
I LOVED that video!! So full of joy and celebration. The smiles on the faces of the dancers, along with the uplifting music made me smile so big!
Hope you had a wonderful Easter celebration my friend,
Ceil
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I’m glad you enjoyed them, Ceil. I love that the video gave you a smile so big! 🙂 It always lifts my spirits, too. Yes! He is alive inside us! We are never alone, even when it sometimes feels like it. May God heal your ear problem and strengthen your heart! Hugs!
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