Today is the start of the Lenten season known as Ash Wednesday. This symbolic tradition stems from Judaism. One could argue that Christianity is the final development of Judaism. Throughout history, people have covered themselves in ashes to present an outward sign of the sin in their hearts and their willingness for God to cleanse their souls. Ash Wednesday reminds us that humans are merely stardust, and stardust they shall return. Nobody can argue against the fact that we all turn to dust when we die. The legendary rock group Kansas wrote a smash hit called “Dust in the Wind” that tells the story of humankind starting as dust and returning as dust; you should give it a listen.
The great mystery of life is what happens once we turn to dust? Is that the end, is there nothing more, we simply cease to exist? Or, is there truly a place in eternity for the soul to reside with the Creator of the universe? If eternity is real, then how do we get there? Is there only one way to experience eternity? These questions require us to exercise our faith. Believing or choosing not to believe are both acts of faith.
Most Christians believe that Jesus is both fully human and fully God. They believe He made the ultimate sacrifice to give up His life for the sins of all creation. Because humans are fatally flawed and God is holy, there must be a spiritual transformation that takes place, a rebirth if you will, to allow those who believe to be made holy. God is holy, so everything in God’s presence must be made holy.
These 40 days of Lent leading up to Easter encourage believers to deepen their commitment to the process of sanctification (being made holy). This process requires the willingness to be made new. The spiritual actions of personal inventory, confession, repentance, and reconciliation require the believers’ participation. Ash Wednesday is a great day to start this process.
Administering ashes on the forehead is not a commandment from God. Nor is it a requirement to be made right with God. It’s a symbolic spiritual exercise and tradition that acknowledges that you know that you are a fatally flawed human being with no means of saving yourself from your sinful ways. You also understand that it’s your sinful nature that separates you from God and your fellow humans. Today is a perfect day to confess your flaws and turn them over to God. This spiritual journey requires that you repent, make amends when necessary, and then deepen your commitment to fully follow Jesus and His commands for living the kingdom life.
Believers know that they will never be in the full presence of God until they have when through the spiritual refinement process of being made holy in the person of Jesus Christ. This sanctification process starts on this side of the heavenly realm and is finished in the next. The cross and resurrection gave God victory over death, so all that is left is for you and me to be made holy. That journey begins today! On this Ash Wednesday, what are the defects of character you are willing to turn over to God? Confess those flaws to God, yourself, another human being, and then become entirely ready for God to cleanse your soul and make you perfect in the eyes of God.
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