Rising to Life
A Call to Hope and Action
The world we inhabit is soaked with suffering. Violence, injustice, and human need mark our days—not only in the news but also in our homes, bodies, and relationships. It is easy to be overtaken by the weight of it all. Yet there are those who choose to live differently—not by denying pain, but by holding it alongside an unwavering commitment to life, healing, and wholeness. This is the path of those who choose to rise.
To live as one who rises is not to ignore suffering, but to confront it with compassion, courage, and conviction. Rising is a choice made daily—to believe, to love, to stand for justice, and to live with purpose.
Those who rise carry a distinctive awareness: they see death but refuse to be ruled by it. They face grief and loss yet still believe in transformation. Rising is not a one-time event but a continuous commitment to the sacredness of life and the worth of every person. It is the rejection of cynicism, apathy, and despair in favor of love, action, and perseverance.
We rise because something within us knows that our story isn't over. We rise because goodness must continue to move through us. We rise because the world still needs the fullness of who we are.
Affirmation
I choose to rise. I choose life, hope, justice, and love, even when the way is hard. I will not let death define my story.
Spiritual Practice
Find a quiet space where you can sit comfortably and be undisturbed. Let your body settle. Allow your breath to slow and deepen. With each inhale, imagine drawing in courage. With each exhale, release the weight of despair or fear.
As your body softens, bring to mind a situation—personal or global—that feels like Good Friday: marked by loss, pain, or injustice. Name it silently. Then, place alongside it an intention to rise. Without forcing hope, allow yourself to feel the possibility of another way.
Let this intention deepen as you move into silence. Stay present. Trust that within the stillness, something is being made new. Even if you cannot see it yet, remain open. Let the silence hold you as you listen for the quiet whisper of renewal.
Guiding Questions (Journaling Prompts)
In what ways am I still living from a tomb that no longer serves me?
What does it mean for me to live as one who rises?
Where in my life or the world do I feel called to love more fiercely, or to act more boldly?
How can I stay grounded in compassion while facing sorrow or anger?
What goodness in me still needs to rise?
Action Step
Identify one area of your life where you’ve grown resigned or passive. Choose one meaningful action this week—no matter how small—that affirms your commitment to life and renewal in that area. Let it be an act of love or justice, offered with your whole heart.
Closing Invitation
Let your life speak of resurrection—not only through words, but through the way you keep showing up in the face of pain, through your refusal to give up on goodness, and through the quiet strength of your love. Keep rising. The world is waiting.