What Serena, setbacks, and scripture teach us this Easter

Easter is a beautiful reminder that even in our hardest moments, hope is never lost—because God is always at work, even when we can’t yet see it. Christo, one of our sport and faith coaches, shares a few thoughts this Easter on handling setbacks—both on the field and in life.

"Tennis legend Serena Williams has faced numerous injuries and health issues throughout her career, including a life-threatening pulmonary embolism in 2011. Despite these setbacks, Williams has displayed remarkable resilience and determination, going on to win multiple Grand Slam titles after her recovery.

Now the question for this Easter: How do I deal with setbacks?

As Christians, we may wrestle with questions about trusting our Saviour—especially when life doesn't make sense, and when bad things happen to good people. Right?

When I read the Easter story of Jesus going to the cross to die for our sins, this verse came to mind:

“From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, ‘Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?’ (which means ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’)”
— Matthew 27:45–46

This passage is arguably one of the saddest and most perplexing scriptures in the Bible. Martin Luther once asked: How can God forsake God?… Or did He?
Jesus trusted the Father completely—even unto death—yet still uttered those heart-wrenching words.

Here’s the thing: we can’t fully understand everything from God’s perspective. Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 13:12,

“For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.”

If you read the word NOWHERE, what do you see?
You can interpret it in two ways:

• NOWHERE, suggesting that God is absent, uncaring, or silent.
• NOW-HERE, affirming that God is present, attentive, and right by your side.

It’s all a matter of perspective.

Take courage this Easter, knowing this truth from Isaiah 55:8–9:

“‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the Lord. ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.’”

There are many things we simply don’t understand. But this Easter, as you reflect on the cross and what Jesus did for us, I encourage you to ask the Holy Spirit to help you see NOW-HERE—to open your heart to a deeper, divine perspective.

Remember these unchanging truths:

• God is good. Always. “No one is good—except God alone.” — Mark 10:18
• God is for you. Forever. “If God is for us, who can be against us?” — Romans 8:31
• God is with you. Always. “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” — Hebrews 13:5

Have a wonderful Easter. May the finished work of Jesus fill you once again with hope, awe, and gratitude—giving you a renewed perspective: a God perspective."