When did you last wrestle someone? Perhaps it’s been a while. Perhaps you never have! 

I’m not a professional. I’m a father (which, for the record, includes a good deal of wrestling).

You need to have your feet firmly planted on the ground. If you don’t, you get taken down pretty quickly.

Today’s devotional is a reminder that when your faith is firmly planted in the risen Christ you are on solid ground.

1 Corinthians 15:3-6 captures an early Christian creed. Paul writes: “For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep.”

Let’s note a few things.

First, what Paul says is of “first importance.”

Second, he is passing on what he himself has “received.”

Third, this summary of critical details was short enough to be memorised and includes what happened on the cross and at the empty tomb (i.e. the Easter story).

Fourth, the risen Jesus appeared to more than 500 people at the same time, many of whom are still alive.

Not only is Paul passing on vital information, he is saying that Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection were so well-known and public that his readers could go talk to the eyewitnesses themselves if they wanted further confirmation!

And so a movement grew to share the message and mission of the risen Jesus with the world. They had seen Jesus alive again. There was no doubt. This gave them courage for whatever they faced.

Life is full of turbulence. Winds blow and storms come (metaphorically speaking). They threaten to knock you off course. But in and with the risen Jesus, your feet are firmly planted on solid ground.

Trust him. His hope is real. His peace is never cancelled. Eternity awaits. Fight the good fight. Love well.

Stand firm and stay focused. Storms come and go, but God remains. In and with the risen Jesus, your feet are firmly planted on solid ground.

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Notes:

–Bible quotes are from the NIV.