Easter is over, the hot cross buns that we have been eating since January are finally disappearing from the shelves, and churches sometimes feel like they have “passed a peak”. In the church calendars of the various denominations, the weeks not defined by a particular event or feast bear the description “Ordinary Time”. In a 24/7, novelty-driven culture, anything ordinary isn’t going to get much attention!

But there is nothing ordinary about taking Easter seriously. If, having commemorated the death and resurrection of Jesus, you are feeling ordinary, perhaps you need to take stock of the difference those beliefs make in your ‘ordinary’ life. Here’s a list of ten encouraging, day-shaping, mind-satisfying, heart-filling truths to remember, if (like me) you believe that Jesus of Nazareth died for our sins and rose from the dead.

1 You have a hero. Most of us are looking for someone worth admiring, someone we can live up to, someone to guide our lives. Christians: you have found him! In the teachings of Jesus, his character, his devotion to God the Father, and his ultimate loving sacrifice, we know exactly whom to follow.

2 You know that people are very important. C.S. Lewis once wrote, “There are no ordinary people…it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub and exploit —immortal horrors or everlasting splendours”. Those who believe in the resurrection have a very serious view of the importance and value of those around them. This is a profound motivation for all kinds of compassion and care—or, at least, it should be.

3 You believe in the value of the universe. Unlike some Eastern faiths, where this world is illusory and unimportant, those who believe in the resurrection know that the opposite is true. By raising Jesus from the dead, God demonstrated the value of this life, that it should not be left to decay and corruption, but should be renewed and returned to what its Creator desires it to be. This is huge motivation to be mindful of all creation, to treat it as special to God, and valuable to us.

4 You treat sin as “on the way out”. Jesus has already beaten it. Although we Christians live in remorse for our sins and wrestle daily with the fallen world we brought about, we know that it is dealt with, passing, and destined not even to be remembered by God. Sin is so last era; the resurrection era will in time do away with it altogether.

5 You make plans, but sit lightly to them. Knowing that death is not the end, you feel less anxiety and pressure around everything you plan. “If the Lord wills” is about the most Christian thing you can say. You know that God’s grand plan, introduced by the resurrection of Jesus, is unfolding before our eyes, and our plans are merely subplots.

6 You build something that will last. U2 once sang about “all that you can’t leave behind”, the thing that must be taken into the next life: it’s love. Love expresses the eternal nature of God, a trinity of persons perfect together.  Christians are building such love when they speak of Christ to each other, when they care for those in need, when they cast off the old self, and when they treat others as they want to be treated themselves. Love lasts.

7 You can be clever with money. Because Jesus rose from the dead, you have more financial freedom than Bill Gates. You can apply your money to things that last—the things of love. Money is to serve the things that last, not the things that are fading away. You can be shrewd, wise, generous, sacrificial, kind and lavish with money. You use “worldly wealth for eternal dwellings” (Luke 16:9).

8 You have hope. This most basic of human psychological needs is available to you in bucketloads, if you will but dwell for a few moments on what Christ has won for you in his resurrection. Hope should spring!

9 You can work your guts out. You have every reason to expend yourself in your working life, because you serve an eternal boss.

10 You are also allowed to rest. Unlike the secularist, who must constantly create meaning and significance to stave off despair, you see a long future of joy, contentment, satisfaction, happiness and fearlessness ahead of you.  You don’t need to ‘perform’ to get there; you are already there, in the resurrection of Christ. The kingdom of rest awaits.

As an ordinary, post-Easter, resurrection-believing Christian, you should be the envy of everyone. Ordinary, wonderful, everlasting you, loved by the Risen Jesus.