Ashes, Ashes, We All Fall Down

Yesterday was Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the Lenten season--a season of repentance and prayer. I do not pretend to know much about Lent due to my traditional Baptist upbringing that does not celebrate the season. Most of what I know is from friends and from wikipedia. However, the tradition is beautiful to me. I think the reason I have begun to appreciate Lent is the recognition of need for a season of repentance. Yes, I know we can repent every day all year long--and we should. But to me, there is something special about a season in which the act is uplifted. The 40 days of Lent are often times related to the 40 days Jesus spent in the wildnerness preparing for ministry. And what a neat opportunity for us to practice a similar discipline with hope--hope that looks forward ultimately to the resurrection of Christ. The resurrection that means our sins are gone, washed away. What hope and joy!

Today I heard this song for the first time (I know my blog would not be complete without a song). It is called Dearly Loved by Jimmy Needham--

Please lay down your eros
For they're sure to pierce the skin
And water from a broken well
Will make you thirst again
When all things you've acquired
Are tested by the flames
And you can see them melting
Then will you call his name

It's worth it brothers
It's worth it friends
To know your maker
To lose your sin
Did you know that you are dearly loved

To the slaughters you are being led
Being told that it's a party
That this God is in your head
And every single lie
Sounds just like the greatest truth
But the one truth you're not hearing
Is that he died for you

No greater joy
No greater peace
No greater love than this

It's worth it brothers
It's worth it friends
To know your maker
To lose your sin
Did you know that you are dearly loved

What a message for all of us that we can know our Maker and lose our sins! And that is what Ash Wednesday is all about--knowing our Maker through repentance and losing our sins.

"For my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water." Jeremiah 2:13

"...I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord." Jeremiah 9:24

"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28

May we find our rest and hope in Him in this season where we are reminded that we all fall down but that His grace is enough.