Reflection for Ash Wednesday
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Have you ever had a moment where you found yourself overwhelmingly upset at something you've done? Perhaps you knew the thing was wrong at the time or you realized it later, but you got to a point where you felt so sad, perhaps angry, at yourself for doing it. We all have these moments. Perhaps the regret comes in the moment of getting caught for the wrong thing we did or perhaps seeing the negative consequences of such an action created remorse with us. The weight of our sin is incredibly burdensome, but the good news is that God always forgives us when we confess our sins.
Today is Ash Wednesday which is a day that begins the season of Lent which is the season that leads to Easter. Lent has often been associated with giving something up for a period of time. This can be good when the lack of that thing points us to prayer and spiritual reflection. Ash Wednesday is about beginning this journey of spiritual reflection and self-discipline (Click this link to learn more about Ash Wednesday). Reflection and self-disciple can look different for different people, but often Christians will fast from something and take up a spiritual activity like daily prayer or scripture reading. There are many of these Christian disciples, but others include prayerful journaling, confession of sins, and intentional, quiet moments of prayer. Today many will gather to remember that we are all sinful, broken people. Regardless of whether we feel the guilt of sin like I described above or not, we all sin. And we all need to confess our sins and allow God to work on our hearts.
If you are attending an Ash Wednesday service tonight, remember that the ashes represent sorrow for sin and repentance. As you receive the ashes, it's okay to feel sad for your sin, but also remember that God will always forgive you for your sins. You are never alone in your brokenness. Confess your sins to God, and realize you are forgiven! If you're not attending an Ash Wednesday service, I still encourage you to spend some time in prayer or reading scripture (see the scripture links below), confess your sins, and accept that God has forgiven you. It's right to confess our sin and brokenness, and we are grateful for a forgiving God.
To Read More: Psalm 51; 1 John 1:8-9
Have mercy on me, God, according to your faithful love! Wipe away my wrongdoings according to your great compassion!
Wash me completely clean of my guilt; purify me from my sin!
Psalm 51:1-2 CEB
Wash me completely clean of my guilt; purify me from my sin!
Psalm 51:1-2 CEB
Have you ever had a moment where you found yourself overwhelmingly upset at something you've done? Perhaps you knew the thing was wrong at the time or you realized it later, but you got to a point where you felt so sad, perhaps angry, at yourself for doing it. We all have these moments. Perhaps the regret comes in the moment of getting caught for the wrong thing we did or perhaps seeing the negative consequences of such an action created remorse with us. The weight of our sin is incredibly burdensome, but the good news is that God always forgives us when we confess our sins.
Today is Ash Wednesday which is a day that begins the season of Lent which is the season that leads to Easter. Lent has often been associated with giving something up for a period of time. This can be good when the lack of that thing points us to prayer and spiritual reflection. Ash Wednesday is about beginning this journey of spiritual reflection and self-discipline (Click this link to learn more about Ash Wednesday). Reflection and self-disciple can look different for different people, but often Christians will fast from something and take up a spiritual activity like daily prayer or scripture reading. There are many of these Christian disciples, but others include prayerful journaling, confession of sins, and intentional, quiet moments of prayer. Today many will gather to remember that we are all sinful, broken people. Regardless of whether we feel the guilt of sin like I described above or not, we all sin. And we all need to confess our sins and allow God to work on our hearts.
If you are attending an Ash Wednesday service tonight, remember that the ashes represent sorrow for sin and repentance. As you receive the ashes, it's okay to feel sad for your sin, but also remember that God will always forgive you for your sins. You are never alone in your brokenness. Confess your sins to God, and realize you are forgiven! If you're not attending an Ash Wednesday service, I still encourage you to spend some time in prayer or reading scripture (see the scripture links below), confess your sins, and accept that God has forgiven you. It's right to confess our sin and brokenness, and we are grateful for a forgiving God.
To Read More: Psalm 51; 1 John 1:8-9
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