When the Saints Go Marching In

Today is Mardi Gras. “Mardi Gras” is French (you have no idea how much this pains me) for “Fat Tuesday.” To understand Mardi Gras better, you need to understand the following day, Ash Wednesday. Ash Wednesday is the first day of the Lenten season, the 40 days leading up to Easter. Lent is characterized by prayer, penitence, charity, and self-denial, especially fasting. Of course, if you’re going to have a prescribed time on your calendar for practicing the disciplines which should be present throughout the year, then you invite a huge party on the eve of that “holiness” during which people cut loose and do all of the things that won’t be permitted for nearly seven weeks. Hence, Fat Tuesday!

Sadly, we need a program to force us to do things which we should willing do continually. This is part of the struggle we have as the CONNECT Leadership Team. There are perspectives and activities which should flow naturally from a right understanding of the gospel. But sometimes, they just don’t flow. Sometimes, they need a gentle shove.

God’s people should be His ambassadors in the world, meaning being His representatives or representation. Scripture says that “God is love” repeatedly in 1 John 4. Note that it doesn’t say that God “has love” or that God is “loving,” but rather that He “is” love. And look how Scripture describes the outpouring of that attribute: “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). And most of us know John 3:16, but look at 1 John 3:16:

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. 1 John 3:16

If that verse leaves the application too open, the next verse makes it very practical and difficult to avoid:

If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? 1 John 3:17

The Lenten season is upon us. This is an incredible time of anticipation of the Easter holiday. For the redeemed, Easter is a call to remembrance, but not just to remember what Christ did to provide for our salvation. It’s also an urgent call to action. It’s a time when we need to remember that we have been called to be like our Lord and to demonstrate our love through deeds.

There is tremendous need all around us. Take this time to demonstrate your love of God and love of neighbor by reaching out in a very tangible way. Who do you know that needs to be physically blessed this Easter season? Don’t know anyone? As a church, we will be adopting families once again through the Lititz-Warwick Community Chest (LWCC). How can you help? Pitch in a few bucks and bless a family with an Easter meal. You can do that on your own or by using our Taste of Grace ministry. Maybe you will begin to build a relationship with someone who will ask you why you’re being so loving toward them…

Tell me what your group is planning. How will you demonstrate the generous love of our God this Easter season?