“Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb …” – Mark 16:2a (NIV)
Dale Suttles
The women went to see Jesus’ crucified body at sunrise and probably thought the morning would bring nothing new. Jesus was dead.
They must have thought the grief they carried with them to Jesus’ burial place would remain for the rest of the day, like the day before — and the day before that. Their thoughts surely convinced them that sunrise on this third day would bring no change. But …
This was a new day. Death was replaced with life. Despair was replaced with hope. This new day would bring unimagined hope and healing to anyone who would receive it.
Every sunrise brings the promise of a new beginning, new possibilities, new hope and new life. That’s what Sunrise Children’s Services’ name conveys, and that’s what we’ve shared with children, youth and families in Kentucky for more than 150 years.
Today in Kentucky’s foster care system, we have hurting teenagers, large sibling groups placed together and medically complex children who are longing for a loving home. But like the women arriving at Jesus’ tomb, some of these kids may have given up hope that anything would ever change. Our desire at Sunrise is to show these kids that through God’s Spirit, a new day and a new life is possible. We are led by scripture to do so.
James 1:27 clearly expresses God’s command to take care of orphans. But earlier in the chapter, in verse 22, James reminds us that we must not simply listen to what God says. We must do it! No matter how hard. No matter how tough. How will you respond?
What Sunrise needs most right now is loving parents who are willing to open up their home to these hard-to-reach kids we serve.
Is God calling you to help these children and youth experience protection, stability, joy, hope and a bright future? If so, one of our caring Sunrise team members would love to talk with you about becoming a foster parent. To get started, visit https://www.sunrise.org/becoming-a-foster-parent/.
As we celebrate the resurrection, let’s also celebrate the hope that individuals and families will now be so inspired by the love of Christ that the doors of literally hundreds of homes would open, resurrecting the lives of children who have lost all hope. If not Kentucky Baptists, then who?
“Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says” (James 1:22).
Dale Suttles is president of Sunrise Children’s Services.
Dale Suttles