The Power of Believing (Easter 2025)
The Power of Believing — Easter 2025
Have you ever had a moment that truly changed your life? Maybe it was the birth of a child, a cross-country move, a heartbreaking loss, or even a conversation that unexpectedly shifted your entire perspective. Life is full of these turning points. But what if one of the most life-changing realities isn’t something you experience externally—but something you believe?
Our beliefs are powerful. They shape the way we think, the choices we make, and the direction our lives take. Some beliefs are loud and obvious, while others quietly run in the background like code in a computer system. Either way, they’re there. And perhaps the most important beliefs we carry are these: What do I believe about God? And what do I believe about myself? These aren’t just theological questions—they’re deeply personal and practical.
Let’s start with God. It’s not always easy to believe in Him. A Franciscan theologian named Fr. Ron Rolheiser once admitted that his belief didn’t come just from being told to believe—it came from living it out and seeing that faith actually works. In the messiness of life, faith brings peace, joy, purpose, and the ability to forgive. And when we look at the resurrection—not just as a historical event but as a recurring theme—we see God bringing life out of death, hope from despair, and even laughter into dysfunctional families.
Jesus asked His disciples a simple but powerful question in Matthew 16: “Who do you say I am?” Peter’s response—that Jesus is the Son of the living God—was a belief that reshaped his future. And Scripture tells us that believing in Jesus gives us the right to become children of God. But belief in God isn’t just about checking a box; it’s about anchoring your life to truth. Because sincerely believing a lie—like thinking you’re unlovable or worthless—doesn’t make it true.
That brings us to the second big question: What do you believe about yourself? Our beliefs about God deeply influence our self-worth. If we think God is distant or angry, we may see ourselves as unworthy. I know I did. I believed God loved me because the Bible said so—but I didn’t believe He liked me. I figured I gave Him plenty of reasons not to. But through conversations with mentors, counselors, and my wife, I realized I had made God into a version who was harsh and conditional. In truth, He is a God who offers to walk with us, not just tolerate us.
Most of us define ourselves by our roles or feelings—tired, busy, anxious, mom, student. But the resurrection tells a different story. Ephesians 2 reminds us that God made us alive with Christ and calls us His masterpiece, created anew to do good things. Jesus didn’t rise from the grave so we could live small, burdened lives. He rose so we could live with purpose and freedom—no longer defined by our worst mistakes or the labels others have placed on us.
So if believing all of this feels hard, you’re not alone. The Bible is filled with people who had every reason to give up—people with regrets, broken families, and scarred pasts. And yet, God took “the unlikely” and made them family changers and history-makers. He’s still doing that today. He speaks grace over those we might overlook—and hope over hearts that feel stuck.
As we celebrate Easter, may we embrace the power of belief—not just in our minds but in our hearts. Belief that God is who He says He is. Belief that you are who He says you are. And belief that, through Jesus, there ain’t no grave that can hold you down. If you’re ready to walk in that kind of freedom, we’d love to walk with you.