Day 1-February 14th
Ash Wednesday
From Dust to Dust
Joel 2:12-14
Today, as we begin the journey of Lent, we will gather with our church family and receive the sign of the cross in ash on our foreheads. These ashes come from the burning of the palm fronds from Palm Sunday the previous year.
But why do we do this?
We take the cross in ash to be reminded of several things.
First, we need to be reminded that God is God, and we are not. We are created in God’s image and not the other way around.
Secondly, we need to be reminded that we are fragile human beings created in the image of the Invisible God. We came from the dust and will return to the dust.
Finally, we need to be reminded of the price that Jesus paid to cover our sins and justify us before God.
As we contemplate these things on Ash Wednesday, God will prepare our hearts to walk this journey of Lent for the next 40 days. As Jesus was led out into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil for 40 days and 40 nights, the scripture tells us that Jesus fasted and turned His heart to God. The season of Lent provides for us the same opportunity to fast and turn our hearts to God, not out of obligation or tradition, but out of a desire to grow closer to God and experience the power of the resurrection in a much deeper way.
Consider the words of the prophet Joel…
“Even now,” declares the Lord,
“return to me with all your heart,
with fasting and weeping and mourning.”
Rend your heart
and not your garments.
Return to the Lord your God,
for he is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and abounding in love,
and he relents from sending calamity.
Who knows? He may turn and relent
and leave behind a blessing— Joel 2 :12-14b NIV
In ancient times, people would tear their outer clothing as a sign of repentance and sorrow for sin. But, like today, sometimes things done outwardly for show don’t always represent the true attitude of the heart. Lent isn’t a time to fake our sincerity so others will think we are “spiritual”, but rather Lent is a time for us to personally examine our hearts and deepen our commitment to God. In this “tearing” of our hearts inwardly, we give God the opportunity to minister to our deepest needs.
Questions to consider:
What is the attitude of your heart towards Lent this year?
What blessing do you need to receive this year?