Someone passed me ‘a check your nutrition’ chart recently without comment, but presumably with the thought that I might fill it in. The exercise was one in which nutrition was cross-referenced with mood, energy levels and so forth. No doubt such things have some merit. Inevitably it put me in mind of the effect spiritual disciplines might have on mood bearing in mind that I am writing in the middle of Lent.

There is much in the world to cause worry and a great deal to cause anger. The usual catalogue of threats and violence (which is an annual publication) causes concern for many. Changes outside the control of ordinary mortals cause consternation or insecurity. Yet there is also much good at the human level if we are prepared to seek it out and at the spiritual level we can still recognise God’s goodness and know his love for us. As Easter approaches we would do well to reflect upon God’s love revealed to us in the death and resurrection of Jesus. This sort of ‘diet’ should help our mood beyond measure.

So what are your expectations of Easter – beyond a longed for glass of wine or bar of chocolate? Easter comes with the promise of vindication. St. Paul writes that ‘death has lost its sting’ because of Jesus’ triumph over death. Can that be a reality for us in the present – the knowledge that we are safe in the Father’s love whatever the world may throw at us? At Easter the end of all things comes into view. The Apostle makes this point powerfully and definitively,

Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. “For God has put all things in subjection under his feet.”

1 Corinthians 15: 24-27a; see also Psalm 110:1

Easter also comes with the promise of new life – a share in the life of the risen Lord, sealed by the Holy Spirit. In this we are forgiven, released from the bonds of sin and allowed to live again. To change the metaphor, it is not just about clinging desperately to the side of a life boat. It is about being hauled aboard and brought ashore where we should be. When we feel lost in life and the world the events of Easter assure us that we belong. We belong to God and are his children by gracious adoption even if we are still here for a season. Ultimately we may look to the heavenly Jerusalem, but for now we are sojourners on earth. We may not belong to the world (in the negative sense) any more than Jesus belongs to the world (John 17: 16), but for now this is where we have been placed. It is God’s will that we are here as his servants and witnesses and that should inspire confidence even when we feel the world is against us.

Easter comes too with joy and with renewed hope if we are prepared to feed ourselves on faith in Jesus. That is the best diet we can have at any time of the year and is guaranteed to lift our spirits and put us in a good mood. Check your nutrition by all means and enjoy something special to eat when Easter comes, but above all be filled with the goodness of God and celebrate his victory and new life – your mood is dependent upon it!

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