As we look forward to Easter this next month, we find ourselves in the church season of Lent. Lent is the 40 days before Easter (not including the Sundays); a time that we remember the suffering that Jesus our Savior did in our place on the cross; dying for our sins, our faults, our wrongs so that we can have forgiveness of sins and life eternal with Him in heaven.
During this Lenten time, many people may give up things … things that they really desire or want in their lives. For example, some may give up chocolate or their favorite snack, some may try to give up a bad habit or an unhealthy thing they do. Others may even fast, not eat for part of the day. When giving up something we may feel a pain or be uncomfortable longing for, desiring that certain something we gave up. When feeling this, it is meant to help us remember the suffering that Jesus went through for us on the cross on Good Friday.
A twist that I have heard of again recently is, instead of giving up something during Lent, try doing something you haven’t done before for someone else … that is, give. This past week at our church, we looked at Mary, the sister of Lazarus, and Martha from the Bible. She teaches us well of how to give. When Jesus was visiting their home, Mary gave to Jesus by washing His feet. In the Bible times, when someone came to your home, typically a servant would wash your feet from walking on a dusty path. In this moment, Mary became that servant, serving Jesus by washing his feet, but didn’t stop there. She also anointed His feet with an expensive perfume. How expensive, you ask? Well, it cost as much as a year’s wages! Can you imagine spending a whole year’s salary on one item for someone else? But she did … she gave. She gave with her whole heart, she gave generously, she gave thankfully.
So, during this Lenten season instead of giving something up, maybe think about how you can give. How can you give of your self in time? Do you have a moment to volunteer at your church? Maybe you could help a neighbor or family member around their home. Maybe it is just picking up trash along a roadway. Or has the Lord blessed you with extra funds during this time in your life? How can you use those to help others in our community? The Alva Ministerial Alliance is in the “business” of helping others in need and can always use your support. Maybe it is the local food bank that you’d like to help. Or you may know of someone who is struggling financially right now.
Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus, shows us that the kingdom of God is about giving lavishly, giving generously, giving joyfully and giving completely. “Wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her” (Matthew 26:13). Jesus never says this about anyone else! Thanks to Mary, we can boil down life as a child of God to one simple word, one powerful and life-changing word. Try it out. It will change everything. It will create so much joy. The word? You know. G-I-V-E. Give.
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