God said, “is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter – when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?" Isaiah 58:6-7
I was not raised to observe Lent. However, as I have gotten older, I now see the importance of it. I had heard of people fasting by giving up a meal or a daily treat such as dessert or favorite beverage but I thought that was just a Catholic belief. As I read the passage from Isaiah I now see the need of not only giving up something but also giving something to someone else. A good example of this would be giving up a meal from your favorite restaurant and then taking that money and buying a meal for someone in need. Maybe we could skip a movie that we wanted to see and take that money and buy food or shelter for someone. Just think of how much good could be done over the next 40 days if every Christian would sacrifice something from themselves and then pass that on to someone in need. I always heard that if you did something for 40 days you would develop a habit that would be hard to break. Wow! Wouldn’t that be great to live like this every day? Maybe that is what God intended to happen by us observing Lent.
Right here at Grace Harbor, we have the GUILD to keep supplied with food, the Benevolent Fund for donations, Teen Challenge always needs Bibles, Loving Hands Ministry and Shastity can always use extra hands in the preparation and / or passing out the food and how about inviting an un-churched guest to your next Supper Six get-together. Last, but not least, what about joining Pastor Fred on Monday, Thursday or Saturday morning to give encouragement to those we minister to through our food drive? These are just a few things to think about on your Christian journey during this Lenten season.
In His service,
Ron Hodge
Grace Harbor Church Council Member
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