We are sacramental, a people who live out our faith in
outward symbols of inward grace in the midst of our worship. Today we will do so as we are marked with
ashes and reminded that we are nothing more than dust to which we will
return.
We are reminded again of the need to closely look at our
hearts and our lives, to be reconciled to God.
During this season of Lent it is tempting to give up or take
on more than we can handle and like a new exercise program or New Year’s
resolution which we start zealously and wear ourselves out with, give up and
walk away from. Leading us to feel we have failed miserably, perhaps
thinking we don’t have what it takes to be a “good” Christian.
“Rend your hearts and not your clothing” Joel tells us,
while Matthew reminds us of the call from Jesus to practice our piety in ways
that may go unseen.
These words remind us that God seeks our hearts not the
outward symbols of our piety. God yearns
for relationship with each one of us. God
seeks us out unceasingly.
So as you go to God about what to do this season of Lent,
remember God has already done the work. Our
call is to say yes. How that looks will
be different for each of us and that is as it should be.
May you open your heart to hear God as the journey in the
desert begins.
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