Lent: Go Love Seek

"The most courageous and costly search-and-rescue mission in human history was that of Jesus.  His love for the lost brought him to earth, to the cross, and to us.  We are challenged to share his mission.  We go for the reason he came - that the lost might have a savior."  ~W.E. McCumber


I was blessed to have grown up in a Christian home and was raised and very active in a wonderful church.

                                                 www.parkwaybaptistchurch.com


Being raised Southern Baptist, however, I don't remember as a child observing Lent.  Celebrating Easter has always been such a joyous celebration!  But giving up something?  That just has never been in my background.  (Lent is the 40 day period from Ash Wednesday to Easter.  The traditional purpose of Lent is the preparation of the believer through prayer, repentance, giving, and self-denial.)


It's so easy for me to forget  what God has done for me.  I forget quite easily that it's because of my sins that Jesus was punished.  I add to these sins when I try to make myself happy by eating too much, spending too much money, gossiping, etc.  I fill up with all sorts of these things always hoping they will make me happy.  I may be happy in the moment, but that kind of happiness doesn't last very long.  I just end up wanting more.  I'm never satisfied by these things.  I know that Lent is the time that Christians try to stop filling up on all of these things and try to make more room for Christ again.  By doing this, we feel nearer to God. 
                        
                    "The hardest thing is to take less when you can get more."  ~Kin Hubbard

I spend a lot of my free time searching the internet and reading other blogs.  I have been amazed by so many ordinary people that are serving Jesus.  These organizations and volunteers are improving the quality of  life for people around the world spiritually, mentally, and physically.  They are helping others through humanitarian efforts, such as:   providing food, medical aid, education, clean water, and adopting children from poverty stricken countries.  Their ultimate love and desire to faithfully and cheerfully act unselfishly in bearing the world's burdens and be willing servants, has inspired me to be more loving and helpful to others.  I hope I am able to inspire others to do the same.

After my family attended the Ash Wednesday service at my church, I asked God to show me how I should prepare my heart for Easter.  (and beyond)  Giving up Diet Coke or chocolate seemed too little a sacrifice in comparison to the cross.  So, this year I felt God speaking to me through this quote:

                  "Do what you can, with what you have, where you are."  ~ Theodore Roosevelt

I think he was telling me to open my eyes to see this world as my home and all its inhabitants as my family. The"call to serve" is not only for the missionaries, nuns, and preachers to experience.  The Bible says that everyone is called to serve God by serving others.  I feel God leading me to use my blog to spread the word of the wonderful "hands-on" assistance that is being provided to the poor, distressed, and underprivileged. 

Thank you, God, for this season of Lent and I pray that you will always find in my heart a faithful servant.  Amen.

Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.  1 Peter 4:10