PASTOR’S CORNER, Bailey Norris, New Beginnings Church, Liberal
This week as a community, we celebrated the 76th annual Pancake Day. As someone not native to Liberal, I want to share a few thoughts with you about this Tuesday that celebrates our entering in to this Easter season.
Pancake Day and Shrove Tuesday represent the preparing of our hearts for the Lenten season. Shrove Tuesday provided a wonderful opportunity to reflect on our own spiritual lives and to prepare for the season of Lent. It’s a time to examine our hearts, repent of our sins, and engage in acts of devotion that draw us nearer to God.
This season allows us to see God’s presence in all things and reflect on his goodness even in unexpected ways. This includes the bringing in of the season with pancakes and races.While many may think of it simply as a time to eat a lot of pancakes and have a great time, it is a marker of a time of intentional fasting, prayer and drawing close to all that God has for you.
For us as Christians, this day can remind us of the need to repent of our sins and examine areas that we can grow in our faith. Pancake Day could be seen as an invitation to reflect on areas of our lives where we need to surrender to God, to seek His forgiveness, and to make room for Him to work in our hearts as we enter into the season celebrating the greatest sacrifice that the world has ever seen.
Pancake Day isn’t just about indulging in food; it’s a time to think about the grace of God that has been extended to us. The Apostle Paul reminds us in Romans 5:8, "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." It is through Jesus’ sacrifice that we are offered new life, forgiveness, and grace. While Pancake day has past, we can still remember that it’s more than just the eating of pancakes and sausage. It is a reminder that our lives are to reflect what God is doing in us. We are able to honor him in all things, in all thoughts, actions and attitudes.
Pancake Day can also remind us of community. In many churches, it’s a time for fellowship, laughter, and the joy of sharing a meal together. In Acts 2:42, we read about the early church’s commitment to "the fellowship, the breaking of bread, and prayer." These moments of community, whether large or small, can help us grow in our faith and remind us that we are not alone in our spiritual walk. We are called to walk together as the body of Christ, supporting one another and encouraging one another in love.
In conclusion, while Pancake Day may seem like just another fun tradition, it carries with it a deeper significance. It’s a reminder of God’s grace, the need for self-examination, the joy of fellowship, and the call to prepare our hearts for what’s to come. May this season not just a season of fasting but also a time of deep spiritual renewal. Let it be a time when we intentionally draw closer to God, reflect on His goodness, and live out our faith with renewed purpose and passion.
