Ash Wednesday

image credit: stmarkssouthborough.org

We have borne the image of the man made of dust,

we will also bear the image of the heavenly man.

1 Corinthians 15:49

Today is Ash Wednesday - the day when many Christians allow themselves to be reminded of just how human - how broken - how in need of a Savior they truly are.

Here's a little background information about this day.

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent - the 40 days (not counting Sundays) before Easter.  Many Christians use this season to fast from something - snacks, sodas, caffeine, social media - as a way to quiet their hearts and depend on Jesus.  Why 40 days?  Because that is how many days Jesus fasted in the desert before He was tempted by Satan (Matthew 4:1-11).

If one attends a service on Ash Wednesday, they will most likely have a cross made from ashes placed on their foreheads, with the words, "Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return," said to them - a reminder of Genesis 3:19 and Ecclesiastes 3:20.  The ashes are made from the palm branches used in the previous year's Palm Sunday celebration.

But what does all of this mean?

Russ Ramsey, author of Behold the King of Glory, writes:

"The ashen cross is an outward sign of both repentance and hope.  It is a way

to repent of our rebellion against God and 'confess our sins one to another'

(James 5:16).  It is appropriate to enter into a season of celebrating the finished

work of Christ by assuming a posture of repentance, confessing our need for a Savior."

As I spent time reflecting on these words and on this day, I began to wonder why we need a day or a season to assume this "posture of repentance."  Shouldn't this be the way we live our daily lives?

It's almost unfortunate the way we compartmentalize our faith.  We discipline ourselves for a day or a season, and then move on to the next.

• Ash Wednesday - repent
• Lent - fast 
• Maundy Thursday - think about the Last Supper and Jesus' arrest
• Good Friday - reflect on Jesus' death on the cross
• Easter Sunday - celebrate the resurrection
• Thanksgiving - be thankful
• Christmas - celebrate the baby Jesus 

I loved last year during Lent when we sang the chorus from 'O Come All Ye Faithful' during worship.  Because shouldn't we adore Jesus all year long?

And this past Christmas Eve, the wooden manger prop on the stage was transformed into a wooden cross - because Jesus was born and had to die so that we can be born and do not have to die.  He left heaven so that we can join Him in heaven.

It is a complete story, and to truly understand the beginning of His life, you have to understand the end.

Russ Ramsey continues to write, "On Ash Wednesday we admit our limits and acknowledge the brevity of this life..."

But the challenge is to not be limited by this one day or this one season.  May we be people who reflect and repent and remain thankful and celebrate throughout the year.  May we maintain a "posture of repentance, confessing our need for a Savior" each and every day.


***These words were as hard to write as they may have been to read.  Please know that I wrote these words in my journal this morning to myself, as a reminder to me that I need to practice this in my own life.  I am not calling anyone but myself.***