Opinions expressed in this piece are solely those of the author.

“The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures. He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul (Psalm 23:1-3a).” Just like that, I’m back on those hard, wooden benches, two thick braids hanging down my back. The ancient words flow like healing oil through my mind…

At long last, spring has made its grand and colorful entrance. Yards are greening, flowers are blooming, and birds trill their cheerful songs beneath God’s spreading sky. Driving by, I see them again.

It’s the annual circle of life there on the farm. Every day, I pass by it on my way to work. Ewes, bellies swollen, graze peacefully together. It’s a lovely pastoral scene, and I can never see it without thinking of the Shepherd’s Psalm. Soon, I know, the pasture will be dotted with young lambs. The pall of winter has lifted, and in its place has come the spring with all its attendant new life.

In many ways, the advent of spring and those brand-new lambs speak to this high and holy season. For millions of us around the world, Easter is the pinnacle of our faith and celebration. What started at Christmas was completed at Easter, and we embrace this joyous, yet solemn reminder. Christ has risen.

The power of Easter lies in the truth of what happened on Sunday. After being crucified on Friday, it looked like the end of the road. The object of the disciples’ faith had been brutally murdered, and his body lay, cold, in the grave. But then came Sunday, and everything changed.

Never in world history has another religious leader returned from the dead. Jesus did that. Never has the death of any leader had the power to restore us to God. Jesus did that. And never has another leader of any religious group had the power to change the human heart. It is only Jesus by his death, resurrection, and subsequent indwelling.

In every other religion, the message is “do” and “don’t.” You must do this, you must not do that in order to maintain favor with God. Christianity is the only religion whose message is “done.” It was his death on the cross and the spilling of his blood that paid for our sins and offered us the option of adoption. We could never earn our own way or erase our own sins. We could never “do” enough or “not do” hard enough. We simply could not clean ourselves up. It was impossible. So, seeing that gap, God chose a shocking solution.

Many people, I fear, see an angry God who can scarcely tolerate human beings. This is a sad and tragic misunderstanding. The truth is this—so great was his love. So overwhelming was his desire to be reconciled to us that, in the absence of any ability of our own, he chose his perfect son to be the sacrificial lamb. His death would cover our sins and restore us to relationship with him. It was a cost beyond imagining.

As I write, I am looking at a framed photograph of my own four blue-eyed sons. My maternal, beating heart cannot fathom such a price. How could I surrender one of them in exchange so that even one “good” person could live? That is beyond my comprehension. But to surrender one of them to an awful death for countless millions of people, knowing that many would hate and reject him? I could never do it. And yet God did, for love of you and me.

His son said “yes” for the same.

The promise of Easter is not just a cleaned-up life (mere self-improvement) or a patched-up heart. Easter’s great hope and promise are a new life and a new heart. All of that, and a new family, too. The wonder and power of Easter can only be availed by faith; faith is the key that unlocks the door to it all.

Here is a question for you to ponder. What is the theme of your life? Is it pain? Rejection? Failure? Hopelessness? Is it your own professional achievements? Are you the black sheep of your family? What seems to be the truest thing about you? Whatever it is, that is the framework in which you will live.

The next question is this—are you peaceful where you are? Do you have joy even in hard times? Do you know that you are loved and that you belong? Are you content with the theme of your life today?

If the answer is no, then I invite you to consider taking the step that I have taken, and that is to put your faith in the living Lord, Jesus the Christ. In him, I have found new life and a new heart. Daily, I live in the light and consolation of his presence. He is truly my shepherd, and I am a happy member of his flock.

If the old theme no longer fits you, there are new ones you can choose. There is hope, and joy, and peace, and pure love; all of it because of Easter’s miracle.

The shepherd awaits. His eye is on you. His arms are open. Come on in.

“…Surely, goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever (Psalm 23:6).”