Easter Message 2021 – A YEAR OF OVERCOMING

March 29, 2021

The following was written by Russ Crosson, Executive Vice President and Chief Mission Officer of Blue Trust and Executive Vice Chairman of the board of directors for Thrivent Trust Company.

What a year it has been. Each of us has overcome all kinds of obstacles–unplanned virtual schooling, working from home with many distractions, isolation from family, friends and co-workers, Zoom fatigue, and the list goes on.

“But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.” (Romans 8:37)

How have we overcome? Where did the power and courage come from to handle the adversity we have faced? We were able to conquer the challenges of the last year because, as Christians, Christ lives in us and we live by faith in the Son of God who loves us and gave himself up for us.

The God of the universe, in the body of His Son Jesus Christ, suffered on the cross on Good Friday for you and me. He died so we could live. He then overcame death and rose from the grave on Easter so we could overcome any obstacle we might face and have eternal life. Jesus gave us encouragement in John 16:33 when He said, “In this world you will have trouble, but take heart! I have overcome the world!”

This coming weekend parallels what we have experienced over the past year. Good Friday was the darkest day imaginable for Jesus’ followers, but it led to the brightest day in history–Easter with Christ’s resurrection. For us, the past year had some very dark times with a lot to overcome, but the message of Easter is encouragement, because the future is brighter than the darkness.

I believe that for Blue Trust for two reasons. First, because our company’s mission is compelling. In uncertain and unsettling times people want peace of mind. Our financial planning process based on biblical principles, which have been proven over 40 years, continues to give people just that–peace in uncertain times.

These unchanging principles from the Word of God have helped our clients through the trying times and darkest moments of the past year. People who trusted the principles, trusted their advisors, and didn’t panic when things looked dark, are in a much better financial position today than they were before the crisis. I am continually amazed how these principles apply to everyone regardless of their financial situation. Whether I share these principles with a house cleaner or a billionaire, they work.

Secondly, I believe our future is bright because of the numerous initiatives and strategic goals the Blue Trust team has accomplished over the past several months. They have worked diligently, served clients with excellence, implemented a new state trust charter and new operational technology, advanced our mission faithfully, and enhanced our offerings to clients–all the while continuing to grow the business. The first three months of 2021 have seen more new clients join the firm than any other 3-month timeframe in our history!

The future is very bright because the Blue Trust family is incredible! Thank you for living the wisdom of Galatians 6:9, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

As we approach this Easter, I hope you are deeply encouraged and that you will reflect back on the past year to remember all that God has done and what He has allowed us to overcome.

I pray that our clients and staff will reflect with me on how wonderful it is to work with a company with an unchanging mission that transforms people’s lives and promotes the fulfillment of the Great Commission. Remember that you are part of a family–the Blue Trust family–with like-minded, common-focused people who are about something much bigger than themselves. Live with peace of mind. Persevere in doing good. Continue to overcome.

As I prepare for this upcoming weekend, a traditional Easter hymn comes to mind, “Up from the Grave He Arose.” The lyrics of the chorus are below but listening to the entire song over and over a few times has done wonders for my perspective. Jesus overcame and so can we, no matter what we face.

“Up from the grave He arose
With a mighty triumph o’er His foes,
He arose a Victor from the dark domain
And He lives forever with His saints to reign.
He arose (He arose)
He arose (He arose)
Hallelujah! Christ arose!”

Happy Easter!

Scripture quotations taken from the NIV(R) copyright by Biblica, Inc.(TM) and the New American Standard Bible (NASB) copyright by The Lockman Foundation.