Of First Importance

From today's reading: For I handed on to you as of first importance what I in turn had received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4

I received as of first importance, that Christ died for our sins and was raised on the third day. . . Why is that important? Because it means death no longer controls us. It means that sin no longer controls us. It means that we have the ability to consider first the love that God had for us in providing for our forgiveness. It means that we can live in the sure knowledge that God loves us and we have the opportunity to share that love with others. Everything else falls by the wayside compared to love. When love is the driving force in our life, we are more fully human, more present to those around us, both emotionally and spiritually. When love is our driving force, we are more able to live life to the fullest with the assurance that God is right there with us. Thank you, Lord, for the gift of your love and presence with us today. Amen.