Following and Trusting : Encountering God Out of the Box

Walking in Resurrection Power

We put so much attention on Resurrection Sunday—and it’s beautiful, powerful, absolutely worth celebrating.

But then… what?

What happens the day after Easter Sunday?

And the week after that?

There’s actually a whole season in the Church calendar called Eastertide—the 40 days between Resurrection Sunday and Christ’s Ascension. Then, a few days later comes Pentecost. And I’ve been realizing how much we miss when we skip over it.

Because Jesus didn’t rise from the dead and immediately leave.

He stayed for 40 days.

Can you imagine?

⸻

Jesus Stayed

After the resurrection, Jesus spent time with His disciples. He walked with them, talked with them, ate with them. He kept showing up.

And honestly? They didn’t always recognize Him right away.

That encourages me.

Because sometimes I don’t recognize Him right away either.

Sometimes He’s there—in the middle of my day, in a conversation, in a quiet moment—and I miss it at first. But He’s still there. Still present. Still patient.

Eastertide feels like an invitation to slow down enough to notice Him again.

⸻

Learning to Live After the Resurrection

The disciples didn’t become instantly bold, fearless leaders the moment Jesus rose. (That came later with Holy Spirit at Pentecost, but before this…)

They had to adjust.

They had to process.

They had to learn how to relate to a risen Jesus.

And I think we’re still learning that too.

We say, “Jesus is alive”—but do we actually live like that’s true?

⸻

Living From Victory (Not Trying to Earn It)

One thing that’s shifted for me is this:

I’m not trying to get to victory.

I’m living from it.

Jesus already won.

That means I don’t have to strive for worth, prove myself, or hold everything together in my own strength. It also means the hard things I face don’t get the final word.

That doesn’t make life easy—but it changes how I stand in it.

⸻

Noticing Where He Is Now

During those 40 days, Jesus kept appearing in unexpected ways—on a road, in a room, by a shoreline.

It makes me wonder:

Where is He showing up in my life right now that I’m not fully seeing?

In the small things.

In the interruptions.

In the places I didn’t expect Him.

What if Eastertide is less about looking back… and more about looking around?

⸻

We’re Not Meant to Do This Alone

Eastertide also leads us toward Pentecost—the coming of the Holy Spirit.

Which means this whole “living in resurrection life” thing?

We’re not meant to do it on our own.

We’re not left to figure out how to be strong, or faithful, or full of life.

We’re filled.

Led.

Empowered.

Reminded.

The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead now lives in us. That’s not just a verse—it’s meant to be a daily reality.

⸻

Where Is New Life Showing Up?

Maybe Eastertide is as simple as this:

Pay attention to where life is breaking through.

It might not look dramatic.

It might look like:

• choosing hope again when you felt discouraged

• softening your heart toward someone

• feeling peace where there used to be anxiety

• taking one small step of trust

That’s resurrection life.

That’s Jesus, still at work.

⸻

A Simple Invitation

Maybe this week, just ask:

“Jesus, where are You bringing life in me right now?”

“Help me see You.”

“Help me live from what You’ve already done.”

No pressure.

No striving.

Just awareness.

Just relationship.

⸻

Easter wasn’t meant to be a single day we celebrate and move on from.

It’s a season.

A reality.

A way of living.

And Jesus is still showing up.

Merri Ellen 🙂

He has more for you!

YOU are a sacred space.

Meet with a trained coach to walk with you.

Join other hungry women seeking the Lord together.

Enjoy the books: “God, Show Me What You See”
or “God, Show Me More of You“