Easter also says it is never too late to take a better path or live a different life.  The despair of Easter Friday is lifted on a joyous Easter Sunday. Although from then on, the next day or week may still be difficult, and the next month and the next year, and even the next decade hard, that bright day when the Ancients hoped for nothing more than another good season, can be our inspiration as well. 

Sometimes to survive until your time comes is enough.

In the Southern hemisphere, we go into Winter after Easter but we can always look to the Spring beyond. Those who plant our Autumn bulbs know that the plants are absorbing energy and growing, quietly, out of sight. They bloom gloriously when our side of the Earth reaches the part of our orbit around the Sun which gives the flowers their time in the sun. 

And so the world turns.

We also may think our lives will never see the sun, that we are in a perpetual Winter.  I am certain the grief-stricken victims of the wars in the world think that, too, with very good reason. We can only hope they get a time when they can safely sit in the sun with memories that comfort them. 

 This is also a time when those who bring Winter into the lives of others can step back, and just stop doing it. They can count the cost to themselves as well as others, and realise that at the end of it all, it just is not worth it. All the energy, resources, and time spent to make others unhappy is a lost opportunity to gain their own happiness. Does the dictator sleep well without guards, locks, and alarms? Does their power bring them anything but their own self-imposed prison? Can he or she just sit in the sun, with their memories, without dragging Winter into the seat next to them?

Can a President or Prime Minister, or any leader who lets only some select few sit by the fire in Winter while leaving others outside to bear the cold as best as they can, expect his or her Springs to last forever?

 The Story of Easter says not, unless they cast aside their destructive ways forever and make good, and atone for their past behaviour and the consequences of their actions.

During this festival of giving eggs and chocolate and celebrating happiness, we can look at ourselves and see if our choices are bringing Spring to others and ourselves. 

In Australia, we do that every time we vote, for we are fortunate that we do not have to do it with weapons. The vote we make is critical, so I say, vote to bring in Australia’s Spring, the new life we need. Wave off our long Winter, and those who brought it to us. Bring in new talent, new ideas, and new hope. 

How does Easter help voters?

In my opinion, in Australia the current government has given us a nine-year social and economic Winter. I see the most vulnerable left out in the cold, and also many others kicked out into the cold with them, judged worthless.

If we want a new Spring in Australia we have to make sure the political world turns towards the sun, and new life is breathed into our Parliament.  Change the government.

Give our people their Spring.