He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.

Matthew 28:6 (NIV)

The resurrection of Jesus is of highest importance.

Every decision in your life is influenced by the resurrection. Every emotion is shaped by the resurrection. Every thought is filtered through the resurrection. The definition of your very life is impacted by the resurrection.

It's the verification of your redemption. It's the license you have to chase a good life. It's why you'll never bend or buckle under the weight of bad news or enormous threats. It's why, standing in the middle of one of the toughest seasons in your life, you can still believe that things are going to work out for your good.

Don't make another step in your life by only examining the details and circumstances that surround you. Make that step only after you have defined it by your relationship to a resurrected Christ. Why? Because His resurrection changes everything about everything in your life.

What limitations hold you in bondage? What do you think you cannot accomplish? What do you think you don't deserve? What mistake do you think God can't let you live past?

Cross over the details of all these things and then look back on them from an empty tomb and tell me if it doesn’t change your perspective.

What high mountain has you intimidated? What dark valley has you walking through it feeling fragile? What bad news makes you think it might be your turn next for something terrible to happen? What adversary is flexing muscles and has you comparing it to your apparent weakness?

Do not look at these things from the detail, but look at them from the mouth of an empty tomb and tell me then if you aren’t inclined to quote the words of scripture that say, “Greater is he that is in me than he that is in the world.”

Yes, the resurrection changes everything—in both your life and mine.