We cannot fast from meat and drink during lent and expect God to hear our voice, because on the day of our fasting we still do as we please, and gossip and argue, and hold unforgiveness and hatred in our hearts. Humbling ourselves one day a week is not the kind of fast God requires, it's just not acceptable to Him (Is. 58). I’ve mentioned this verse in previous blogs but felt I needed to write about it again because it applies to this season of Lent.
God wants us to: loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke. This means we need to set each other free and not hold one another hostage mentally, physically, emotionally or spiritually. Injustice is like a knot that must be untied and we have the power to untie it.
He wants us to: share our food with the hungry and provide the poor wanderer with shelter. This means that we go without so that someone else can go with. Instead of just abstaining from meat and drink one day of the week or not buying it during a season, we can buy meat and drink for someone who abstains from it year round because they can't afford it.
He wants us to: clothe the naked and not turn our backs on other human beings. This means that we are not an island unto ourselves, we are not alone. We exist on this earth in community with others and our fellow human beings are not to be ignored.
When we fast in these ways, then...THEN...God will hear our prayers and cries for help and our hearts and bodies will find comfort and healing.
It was neat to do these things for teens yesterday at Cups Cafe. Volunteers bought pizza and ice cream, out of their own wallets, to feed folks yesterday. Some adults, looking for something to eat, dropped in too. We got slam dunked with guests. It was one of the busiest shifts so far this year with somewhere near 58 guests in three hours! Three new middle school students stopped in also. They just moved to Medina and one of our “regular customer’s” met them at school and brought them to Cups. So cool.
Thank you for your prayers and support. Please continue to pass the word to others about our ministry and pray about supporting the cafe with a monthly pledge. Your gift will help us keep the doors open and provide others with great opportunities to serve Hope one cup at a time.
Instead of "giving up something" for lent or "not doing or partaking in one thing or another", why not try doing the things above from your heart?