Ash Wednesday, March 5, 2025
“Marked for Greatness! Get Ashed!”
Do you do Lent? Most people don’t. In case you are unfamiliar with the season, “Lent” is the 6 weeks of preparation for Easter. (It’s not too much unlike the season of Advent, which is the 4 weeks of preparation for Christmas.)
Don’t freak out yet. I’m not trying to talk you into becoming a head-banging Bible thumper. Instead, I’d like to suggest something that you may never have considered.
God’s plan of salvation begins at Easter. Because of Easter, you and I have the choice of whether we wish to accept God’s gift to humankind in Jesus Christ. God isn’t forcing anything on us; God isn’t ever going to do that. Thankfully, God doesn’t want a bunch of pre-programmed robots. Instead, God wants us to choose for life ourselves, not because we must, but because we want to.
Lent allows us an opportunity (or excuse) to show God that we care. Lent is six weeks that we can do something for God, for no other reason than to show God that we appreciate that God offers us the gift of Salvation. Even if we choose to reject God’s gift, it is still a choice that God offers. These next few weeks are an opportunity to reflect upon God’s gift and decide for ourselves if we wish to do something about it.
Ash Wednesday is the beginning of the Lenten Season. Each day during Lent, these devotions will be posted, and each devotion will include a different daily challenge. Nobody is asking you to give up something for six weeks, although that would be fine. Instead, I’m asking you to consider doing something once per day, allowing you and I multiple opportunities to succeed in something.
Today’s Lenten Challenge is to get “Ashed.” Many churches will be offering the imposition of ashes, including lots of drive-through opportunities in church parking lots. At the Longboat Island Chapel, ashes will be administered during the lunch hour and after Bible Studies.
However, if you can’t make it to a church today, don’t worry! Ash yourself by getting a Sharpie (or ink pen) and drawing a small cross somewhere on your body. Nobody must know if you don’t want them to. This is simply for you to be reminded that God chooses you, and you are marked for greatness. Get (or be) Ashed today!
“For you are a holy people, who belong to the Lord your God. Of all the people on earth, the Lord your God has chosen you to be his own special treasure.” (Deuteronomy 7:6, NLT)
