Resurrection Day -- or the day most folks today call Easter -- is a very special time for those of us who call ourselves Christians. Yet, I fear too many Christians never make it past the cross and the tomb to realize the power and promise of the resurrection.

We live in a time when, in many areas of the world, darkness is prevailing. Wars rage. Natural disasters are increasing. Crime and violence are once again on the upswing. And it seems the world has invited this darkness. Where are the Christians?

I fear too many of us have failed to truly meet Jesus. We've allowed the world to place a stone of separation between us and the Lord. We've allowed the cross of suffering to keep us from seeking the Christ of the resurrection. We've failed to realize that the tomb was nothing more than a temporary place of rest for the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. We need to roll away the stone and fall at the feet of the risen Savior.

Once we take that step, we have explicit directions from the Word of God for how we should react. Isaiah 60, verses one says "Arise, shine, for thy light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon thee."

We are to rise up in the glory of the Lord. We are to take our rightful place. The word arise in the scripture means to "get up; stir yourself up." We are to stir ourselves to be what God has called us to be. But we will never arise if we fail to realize the power and promise of the empty tomb. If we leave Christ on the cross, or mourn Him in the tomb, we miss the point of His life as well as the meaning of His death.

The Lord has called believers to arise so that those who live in darkness may see the light. He calls us to deliver the message that Jesus saves; that He delivers; that He heals; and that there is hope and help, right now, through Christ.

But many who call themselves Christians are too busy looking at the outside of the tomb to grab hold of the truth of the resurrection. Too many have allowed the world to place a stone of separation between them and Christ. Such stones may consist of worries, stress, selfishness, desire for possessions, and so forth. Scriptures tell us that the "cares of the world" can create stones of separation.

It's time for us to arise and shine so those who dwell in darkness may be drawn to the light and behold the glory of God.

It's time for us to roll away the stone and come face to face with the risen Lord.

Shepherd's Heart runs on Thursday.