So what is today? In the sink there’s some mayonnaise? Oh, right. Cinco de Mayo. So, are you up on your history? Do you know what the celebration is all about? Here is a hint: it’s not the Mexican Independence Day.
It’s all about an important victory. Here is a link, if you are interested in more of the history of Cinco de Mayo: http://www.vivacincodemayo.org/history.htm
Sweet victory is always a reason to celebrate. Name a country, we can find a celebration for some military victory (don’t bring up Switzerland, man—I’m on a roll!)
You young ’uns out there need to go talk to some senior citizens for some first hand history of what it was like when World War II ended. Such a clean-cut conclusion to conflict seems odd to today’s campaigns against terrorism which may never draw to a close.
Even the history noted in the pages of Holy Writ are peppered with the celebration of army victories. Most notable are the victories where God himself gave victory to his people. Yet even more significant than a victory of military might is the display of spiritual victory. This certainly hits each one of us in a personal way.
Consider the way God speaks of this victory through John’s first letter, the fifth chapter:
“For you, you need not everyone born of God
overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome
the world, even our faith.
Who is it that overcomes the world?
Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.”
This victory is yours, through faith in Jesus Christ. We needed it, too. We were left on the wrong side of the war, thanks to the sinful condition in which we were born. Our natural tendency toward selfishness, jealousy, cynicism, and our obsession with finding satisfaction in the failures of others is sadly blatant at times. Such sinful bent is evidence of the sin in which we were born and with which we will struggle until the final battle against age or accident is fought and lost.
But vs. all this, God waged war through the self-sacrificing mission of his Son our Savior, Jesus. Christ took your sin upon himself and made you right with God. Jesus lived a life sans selfishness and cynicism in order to provide you with the requirements to be welcomed into heaven. Well, no one knows when that day will come to pass.
But today, if it is not that day, is still a reason to celebrate. Here is your prayer suggestion for today: Praise God for his display of love toward you and all people. Thank God for sending Jesus, your Savior. Honor God for his boundless love . . . for you.
Celebrate—why not. Celebrate the goodness and love of God on any day and every day, and today. You can come celebrate with me, if you like. We’ll use Cinco de Mayo for fun, celebrating God’s boundless blessings in our lives.
Come on over, seriously, even you guys in Vietnam, if you want. Tao, way out in Virginia—come on over. My kin in Min. and Wisconsin—you are all invited. Way out in San Diego, too—everyone can come over. For all in the Boise area, it may be slightly more convenient. Here are the details:
Cinco De Mayo Party
At the Kramers
Tonight, any time between 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Our treat—you don’t need to bring anything. Sample some of our famous home-made salsa! See you tonight—