Paying It Forward

"So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit." (John 19:30 NKJV) For some, the religious season of Lent is upon us. This is the time that we give up something as a reminder that Jesus gave up His life for us, so that we might live. A lot of people give something up grudgingly thinking of it as a burden. If one is to give up anything, it should be done with great joy and thanksgiving for what Jesus has done for us. We should also take this one step farther. Giving up something should be about more than just giving up something. It should be about giving back as well. For example, we should give up some of our leisure time to volunteer at our local churches/synogogues/temples, community centers, working with the elderly, and or with children, etc. Lent should be a time when we feel renewed, blessed, and fulfilled...not burdened and like we "have to" do something. So, for the next 39 days, as you think about the meaning of Lent, also think about how you can pay that gift forward...not just through Lent...but every day from this point on. Love, Beau