Easter Leader

Have you ever gone to the creek or the lake to swim? When I was a kid, I would anxiously wait for that first spring plunge into the creek that ran behind our house. Usually my mother would make us wait until June. Only then was the water no longer too cold to turn our lips blue. The water was still cold, but on a hot June day, we welcomed the cool refreshing splash of nature. However, even after our mothers gave permission, my sister, various cousins, and I were all reticent about being the first into the water. We all wanted the other one to go ahead of us and tell us what it was like. Finally, one of us would dive in and lead the way.

Jesus was our leader. He went first. We are all apprehensive when it comes to death. Most of us have never been there and back, and those who claim they have . . . well they never took the plunge. They only dabbled on the edges until they were brought back by a shock or blow to the chest. Jesus dove in and was gone for all or part of three days. He went ahead and came back with the promise that His resurrection is our assurance that we who have placed our faith in him will rise again also.

Sometimes leadership requires that we plunge into the unpleasant, that we wrestle a victory from the jaws of defeat, and come back as an example to others.

So many opportunities in life float by the like the creek in our West Virginia back yard. We stand and shiver at the thought of diving in. We imagine, and envision, and set a goal, and chart a course, and plan a strategy, and outline a blueprint, and brainstorm, and talk and talk and talk. But somewhere, sometime, someone has to lead the way, has to take the plunge and come up again to let others know that it can be done if you have the courage to dive in.

Usually, I had one or two cousins who never would go into the water. They would sit on the shore and dabble a toe here and there, but they never knew the bliss of the cool water's kiss. Too many opportunities are missed, by too many people who only wish, but never do.