March 2006 

Sit-Ups and Spinach 

“Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13)

You know how there are just some things in life that you don't like to do, but you must admit are good for you? I think of that often when I watch my young daughters attempt to eat anything green at the dinner table (unless of course it is a green M&M!). There is usually such a struggle that you'd think we were asking them to cut off their right arm! Or how about sit-ups-the military precursor to Pilates? I daresay it's impossible to have "abs of steel" without them (or their equivalent). There are certainly some things in life that we just must do; like it or not.

This is somewhat the exact opposite of what our Lord did for us on Calvary: the Cross. He did not "have to" do that or anything else for humanity. No. Nor was his suffering and crucifixion particularly "good" for him. But he did it anyway; because he wasn't doing it for His benefit. He was doing it for your benefit and mine. How great it would be if we could have someone else do our sit-ups and eat our spinach, huh? Surely. But how much greater to have someone suffer our punishment and condemnation and earn for us eternal salvation!

As we embark on this Lenten season, beginning with Ash Wednesday and culminating with Good Friday, let us ponder what the Lord has done for us. It far exceeds anything we could do for ourselves. At Saving Grace we will be experiencing a sermon series throughout Lent entitled "What I Did For Love." This series of services and messages will help us better understand and appreciate the magnitude of what Jesus endured and accomplished for us! Visit www.SavingGraceLC.org for more information about this series. Praising our Lord with you!

Pastor Augie

P.S. Oh, and one more thing. There is something else that's good for you besides sit-ups and spinach, and that's being connected to God's family. As you read the pages of our newsletter, I encourage you to be praying about how you may better connect to the Lord and His Church. If you need help discerning where God is leading you, give me a call!