March! That is the order from our Lord Jesus Christ! We are to march into the world and share the Good News of the Gospel and spread the love that our Gracious God has bestowed upon the world.
It just so happens that March is also the name of the third month of the year! During this month we are fully into the season of Lent. A time of preparation for us to be ready for the Resurrected Lord. It seems that it all came so fast! Wasn’t it just yesterday we were celebrating Christmas?
As we continue to prepare ourselves for Resurrection Sunday, let us take inventory of our habits and day-to-day life. What might we do to better prepare ourselves for Christ? Are we loving as we should? Do we give ourselves and resources to others and His church? Are we spending time with the Lord in prayer, reflection, and praise? Are there distractions or barriers that limit us from being holy?
We are called to the cross through Jesus. No, we don’t have to be physically crucified on a tree of despair, but we are called to carry our burdens in life to realize that sacrifices may be necessary to better prepare ourselves for what is coming. Lent is a season of sacrifice. We are called to do without the things that sometimes comfort us, to do without the things that sometimes distract us from not only our problems but also from spending time at the foot of the cross of our Lord.
For instance, we can limit ourselves from watching television so much, and trade that time we spend with the tube for spending more time in prayer. Maybe instead of watching television for two hours, we spend one of those hours volunteering to help others. Instead of going out to dinner as frequently as we might, perhaps we can increase our support of our church or a charity. We can also get rid of things like anger, jealousy, spite, etc., that might prevent us from having space in our hearts for things like joy, laughter, empathy, etc.
We can surround ourselves with people of like minds. Fellowship isn’t just for Sunday mornings! Participating in gatherings of Christians is good for the soul! It helps us to be around others that share our faith and we in turn can help them too. Sharing meals, experiences, and praise of our Lord brings us closer to one another, strengthening the Body of Christ here on Earth.
While there are many ways to the cross, there is but one to Heaven. JESUS! Let March be a month of focusing on not just believing in Him but knowing Him. Let us find ways to give ourselves over to Him completely. In our comforts, our sorrows, our hearts, our minds, our goodness, and our failures. Jesus wants us in totality, let us work to give Him that!
God Bless You ALL!
Pastor Gerry
Monthly Men’s Breakfast…Please join us for our monthly men’s breakfast the second Wednesday of each month at 9:00 am at Eat-N-Park. All are welcome!