Excerpts From: The Messenger |
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"For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.” (2 Cor. 4:5)
The season of Lent is a highlight in the Christian Church calendar. But it is mostly forgotten in many circles in the Christian discipline. Lent is an opportunity for "spiritual self improvement", Lent focuses on an increased emphasis on prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Lent is a wonderful preparation period for the joy of Easter and the final victory over death - the Resurrection.
Several years ago I followed a fast through the forty days of Lent and found that it changed my view of Easter, and that it changed me. Fasting and meditating on my own shortcomings helped me grasp the intense significance of the crucifixion, and gave me a deep and powerful longing for the resurrection, which then became joy on Easter Sunday.
The theme for this Lenten journey is “a smile, that brightens sadness.” Whenever we step out into the church of everyday life, we take God with us. And the teachings of Jesus compels us to let God’s light shine through us. Today, tomorrow, whenever you are out….on the street, big town, small town…take the time to actually look at people’s faces. It is quite interesting what you might see.
In the fall of 1977 I was invited to speak to a group of Christians in a free church in Herning, Denmark. I had just started my sermon when I noticed a middle-aged couple walk into the service and took their seat at the rear of the church.
There was nothing extraordinary about my message, I thought, but this couple noticed something unique that they later shared with me. They said my smile! “What about my smile?” I inquired They felt, even though they couldn’t grasp every thing I spoke about. They concluded that, I spoke with confidence of my faith in Jesus Christ, which showed in my smile. They left that evening encouraged in their own faith journey.
In my travels to different countries, I have noticed that one can actually observe amazing and interesting things by people’s facial expressions. It is the unreserved, smiling persons who are attractive and then we look in their eyes. It is through the eyes that one can see God’s light. It actually shines through and it is authentic. It is said that the “eye is the window to the soul.”
A smile without the sincerity of the eyes is just a smile, another part of a mask we may wear. But a smile from the heart penetrates the very being of a person who does actually preach Jesus unknowingly. That person can’t help it. When such a smile comes your way, you know it is God himself who is smiling at you and saying, ‘You are special.’
The awareness of God’s grace in our hearts emanates as a glorious light for people around to see. Every day we have the opportunity to change someone’s day. Just with a sincere smile. Think about it! And just keep smiling; you will never know who you might touch.
“Lord, let your light so shine from us that the world will know you. Let this light dispell darkness that surrounds our every day.”
Amen
Best Wishes in your Lenten journey,
Your friend and pastor,
Samuel King-Kabu.
Web Page prepared by:
Roger Kenner
& Jette Blair.
Content-New Topics Last Updated: 2011/09/09
St. Ansgar's Lutheran Church - Montreal