Ash Wednesday

Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, a season of repentance leading up to the celebration of Easter. It is a time to focus more intently on following the way of Jesus. Many people fast or give up certain things like chocolate during Lent. By doing this one can become aware of how much one depends on stuff or substances instead of God. The imposition of ashes at an Ash Wednesday service (such as we had in chapel at Fuller today) also reminds one of one's mortality and utter dependence on God for salvation. When the ashes are imposed, a pastor dips his or her fingers in a small amount of ashes and then smeres them across one's forehead in the sign of the cross while saying "Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return." I really appreciate this act, because it reminds me that it's not all about me. I came from dust and to dust I will return. In light of that truth, my petty problems and insecurities seem much less significant. In the grand scheme of things, I don't amount to much. But doesn't that make God's grace all that much more amazing?

In addition to fasting or "giving things up" during Lent, others choose to engage in certain "disciplines of engagement" during Lent. That is, one may decide to do something during Lent one doesn't normally do instead of ceasing to do something one normally does (fasting). Some spend more time in prayer, get involved in some kind of service activity, devote themselves more to the study of Scripture, etc. Whatever one does - fasting, study, or whatever - all this extra contemplation of our "smallness" as humans during Lent helps to make Easter a lot more meaningful. It makes the miracle of God's condescension in Christ to be part of humanity and all he did to redeem us from our lowly state that much more amazing.