“Friday’s here but Sunday’s coming!” boomed the voice of E.V. Hill as he shared the truth of life. We all live in the reality of our own personal Friday; we look forward with anticipation to the joy of Sunday. What do I mean by these words? Am I now speaking in code? Have I had one too many cups of coffee today? Maybe. But let me share my thoughts and you can decide.

Today is known around the world by many as ‘Good Friday.’ This is the day of remembrance of the crucifixion of Jesus the Christ. A cursory glance or casual listening will lead you to ask why we would ever celebrate the abuse and killing of an individual and call it ‘good.’ We look all around us and see the evil effects on life. Should we celebrate these as well?

Sunday is coming.

Sunday is coming. Sunday makes all the difference. Without Sunday, evil wins and hope vanishes. Sunday is coming. Without Sunday, life has only meaning in the here and now and leads to despair. Sunday is coming. We can choose to live day to day in the darkness of Friday, or we can push on knowing Sunday is right around the corner.

Life can be a trial, for some more than others. I have traveled and lived in several places within the world. I see people across the globe struggling to merely survive and care for their family. Men and women leave their homes and families to take a job in a distant land so they can earn money and send it back just to keep their family alive. People bask in extreme wealth and yet appear to have no joy. Leaders abuse their power; their people suffer. Tribes fight tribes, countries attack countries, neighbors kill neighbors — Friday is here.

Sunday is coming. Sunday is all about true Christianity. Christians know they serve a God of love. A loving God is unique to Christianity. The gods of Buddha, Islam, Egypt ancients, Zoroaster, and all are not gods of love. In John you read the classic, “for God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son.” God loves the world, the whole world. He loves it so much that He came in a form we could understand, His son, Jesus. Jesus lived within the daily problems of life. He faced great temptations. He knew hunger and thirst. He experienced rejection, abuse, and death. Sunday is coming.

We do live in a world of Friday; no one can close their eyes to problems that surround them. Part of my faith is the acknowledgement that we live in the presence of evil. I hear the ‘if only’ answers and shake my head. If only he had more money, he would not steal. If only we give more to this country they will act better. If only they were not denied a sweet when they were a small child, their life would be roses. Excuse my actions without consequences; if only I lived in Norway (Or Smyrna, or Iowa, or wherever) this never would have happened. If only, if only. Right, do we really believe this? Do we excuse all behavior without consequences? Evil exists and manifests itself in many ways, but Sunday’s coming.

God is love. There is evil in the world. There is evil within me as well. The two, love and evil, cannot be reconciled in human terms. Despite denial, we know there are consequences, both good and bad, for choices we make. Though perfect and without guilt, Jesus so loved that he allowed evil to triumph — for a short time. Jesus suffered the consequences of the evil within us and our world, dying a miserable death as a perfect sacrifice in our place. Friday is here.

No one needs to point out the truth of Friday. Arab spring has lead to death and destruction. Drought, greedy leaders, battles of hatred, murder, sickness, hunger, loss of jobs, death, accidents, failed marriages, abused spouses, lawsuits, arguments, battles — the list goes on. We have a choice: to live on our own strength, facing life forever in Friday’s reality, or to accept the gift of sacrifice and live in the light of Sunday. Sunday comes and Christ arises forever, defeating the powers of Friday. We can join in His victory.

Life lived only in the face of Friday will lead to depression and despair. Although in many situations and times I find life difficult, I know Sunday is coming. I know because I live my Fridays, anticipating the joy of Sunday, clinging firmly in His grip.