Hello Church,
I always like giving away free stuff. This is mostly because of the cynical looks I get from others. Like 'what's the catch?' Yesterday every household got a free trash bag. One person said they didn't need one. Another said, 'I don't have to wear it, do I?'. Another gave me a really ugly look as if to say, 'NOW what are you up to?'
By the end of my sermon I knew it would all make sense. It is a part of the Lenten Challenge and even if you weren't there yesterday or even if you live far, far away, you can participate too.
Lent is 40 days (not counting Sundays), between Ash Wednesday and Easter morning. Each of the 40 days you are invited to go into your closet and pick out something nice or something you like or something you would prefer to keep and put it in the bag. By the end of Lent you should have 40 items in the bag.
Bring the bag to church on Easter (April 12) and we will donate it to a place where people who could use your nice things can get them.
It is in this way that we remind ourselves that Lent is a time when we especially focus on our need for God in our lives. We wealthy people can have a difficult time getting that reminder when we have so many securities around us..... food, a roof, transportation, nice clothes, running water, etc;
If your closet is too bare, go to the kitchen or the basement or wherever you have nice things. Give something up each of the 40 days. Every time you place your item in the bag, remember your need for God in your life.
I also encourage you to make it a daily activity. Doing it daily creates a constant reminder throughout Lent. Just putting 40 items in the bag at one time is sort of missing the season-long impact of such a sacrifice.
And then, when April 12th gets here, we will be reminded again that God is indeed wanting to be a part of our lives. And we will be much more joyful than anything the 40 items can bring us.
God is Good,
Pastor Joe
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