Moving Forward in Faith: Lessons from the Easter Story

Welcome to another episode of the Health for the Spirit, Soul, and Body Blog from Doxa Missions. Today, we're looking at “Moving Forward in Faith,” drawing powerful lessons from the Easter story and what it means for us today.

Easter stands as one of the most significant celebrations in the Christian calendar. While we often think of it as a time of rejoicing over Jesus’ victory over sin and death, it’s also an opportunity to pause, reflect, and ask ourselves: How does the resurrection change the way I live, walk, and believe today?

The Easter story invites us to do more than remember—it calls us to move forward in faith, even when life feels heavy, uncertain, or confusing.

The Significance of Easter: More Than a Tradition

At its core, Easter commemorates the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, which took place shortly after Passover. This sacred event is the cornerstone of our faith, proving that death has no final say and that God’s promises never fail.

Interestingly, the term “Easter” has origins that are not originally Christian. The name comes from “Eastre” or “Ēostre,” a Saxon goddess associated with spring and fertility—hence the traditions involving eggs and rabbits. While these customs have pagan roots, early Christian missionaries often repurposed cultural traditions to convey biblical truth—just as Paul did in Athens.

In Acts 17:22-23 (KJV), Paul uses a local altar to bridge the gap between culture and the Gospel:

“Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars’ hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.”

Like Paul, we can use the Easter season as a divine opportunity—not just to celebrate but to share the hope of Christ in ways that are relevant and relatable to those around us.

Lessons from the Resurrection: When the Stone is Rolled Away

The resurrection wasn’t just a miracle—it was a message. Consider the women who went to Jesus’ tomb:

“And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him. And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun. And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre? And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great.” — Mark 16:1-4 (KJV)

These women showed up with love and loyalty, despite their grief. They didn’t know how the stone would be moved—but they went anyway. Isn’t that faith? Walking forward when you don’t see the way?

God met their faith with power. The stone was already rolled away.

In our lives, we often face metaphorical “stones”—barriers that seem too great for us to move. But when we step out in faith, we often discover that God has already gone ahead of us.

As God said through the prophet Isaiah:

“Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.” — Isaiah 43:19 (KJV)

This resurrection morning teaches us that God makes a way—when we move forward, even in the unknown.

Moving Forward in Faith

The rolled-away stone wasn’t just a miracle; it was a message to keep going. The same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead now dwells in us, giving us the power to live beyond fear, past shame, and through every trial.

“But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.” — Romans 8:11 (KJV)

The resurrection tells us that no obstacle is too great when God is involved. It calls us to keep walking, keep trusting, and keep believing.

Just like those women who made their way to the tomb, we are invited to keep showing up in faith, even when the odds seem impossible. Why? Because God still rolls away stones.

The Power of the Resurrection Today

The resurrection isn’t just a historical event. It’s a present power. It reminds us that we serve a living God who is actively at work in our lives.

“Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.” — Romans 8:37 (KJV)

This Easter, don’t let the resurrection be just a story you hear. Let it be a truth you live. Jesus didn’t rise just so we could attend church once a year—He rose so we could live free, empowered, and faithful every day of our lives.

When we embrace this reality, our mindset shifts from defeat to victory, from fear to faith, and from waiting to walking forward—no matter the circumstances.

Keep Walking, He’s Gone Ahead of You

Easter is more than a celebration—it’s a call to action. It reminds us that even when we don’t know how things will work out, God has already made a way.

When the women approached the tomb, they were unsure. But they went anyway. That’s faith in motion. And God honored it.

May this Easter season remind you to keep moving forward in faith. The same God who rolled away the stone is rolling away your obstacles, too. Trust Him. Walk with Him. And let His resurrection power breathe new life into your spirit, soul, and body.

How has the resurrection helped you move forward in faith? Share your thoughts or testimony in the comments—we’d love to hear your story and grow together as a community.