Rejoicing at the Crossroads of fear and joy

The women walked away from the tomb with fear AND great joy.  (Matthew 28:8)Life is often lived to the crossroads of fear and joy.  Graduations, new jobs, diagnoses, pregnancies all give rise to both fears and joy.  Easter as well brings both joy... but also comes with some fears too.It is tough to live at this crossroads because our culture constantly pummels us with messages of fear.  Like the soldiers at the tomb, we can become paralyzed be fear.  Yet, the risen Christ comes to us and declares to us "Rejoice!"It turns out the one saying "Rejoice" isn't running away from the tombs or the problems of the world, but knows them -- knows them in his body -- and has overcome them.A message for all those who find themselves living at the crossroads of fear and joy.