This Easter I found myself admist my wonderful girl teammates standing atop a hill in Gisborne, New Zealand watching the sun rise. This sounds beautiful in itself, but there's hidden uniqueness in this experience. Gisborne, New Zealand is known as the town to be the first to see the sunrise in the world. I'm standing, waiting for the sun to come up. It comes first in sun beams arching across another hill. The clouds above slowly turn brighter and brighter shades of pink until the cloud itself has a hot pink lining. This is honestly the most beautiful sun rise I have ever experienced. On top of this hill, as the sun slowly rose above the adjacent hill, our group of girls lifted praises to our God as we sang "our God is an awesome God, He reigns from Heaven above with wisdom, power and might. Our God is an awesome God!"   

As the sun washed over me, I could not help but think back to Jesus' resurrection. The morning seemed so lifeless for a small group of followers...they had hid in a room unable to let their mind comprehend the events of that fateful night. Instead of being able to experience a beautiful sunrise on such a signifcant day, they cowered in fear and confusion. How glorious it is that instead of fear and confusion, my heart was filled with hope and joy! Strength and adoration flowed through my entire body. Thankfully, Jesus Christ's death did not result in a life of wasted moments and bad decisions for those who followed after Him; rather, those peoples' eyes were opened to the miracle of their Savior's resurrection. As the sun finally rose over the hill, I had to turn from its brightness and power. I could not help but compare it to the power and glory our Lord radiates.

I do not know if I will ever be a part of a more unique and special Easter, but I praise my heavenly Father that He allowed me such an experience as this. Our God is truly an awesome God, and He reigns as a
living God from Heaven above with wisdom and power and might....OUR GOD IS AN AWESOME GOD!!