In last week's installment of my Messages About Purpose and Strategy I wrote about how the Bible teaches that love is the distinctive mark of those who follow Christ. But how do we demonstrate love?

The love of Christ was and is shown in sacrifice. Giving, serving, putting others first - that is Christianity in action. And our faith does need to be worked out (not worked for). Real love is active, not passive. Love motivates and mobilizes us. There should be tangible ways that we are demonstrating love to those around us. We are surrounded by great opportunities.

Jesus said that he served by washing the disciples' feet as an example for us to follow. Our plan to serve our community during the Iris Festival is just one way we can follow Christ's lead and show people the love of God. Be sure to check out the cool sign-up area in the lobby this weekend. I'll be hanging around there and meeting people who are investigating the many ways to serve. You'll even see me in my new Iris Festival t-shirt this weekend when I'm teaching up front. I'm into this, not as an end in itself, but as a simple way we can organize to show people that we follow the One who came to serve! Maybe then we will have more credibility when we talk about Jesus as the One who also came to save!