Ash Wednesday

G and I were a little confused when we learned our Southern Baptist Church was holding an Ash Wednesday service. I’ve heard of Catholics, Lutherans and Methodists holding Ash Wednesday services but never Baptists. But we were excited and proud to be a part of a church that not only focuses and celebrates the death and resurrection of Christ on Easter Sunday but during a season just as we did at Christmas with Advent. Growing up in a Southern Baptist church I know very little about the symbolism and history of Ash Wednesday and lent but I know what it symbolizes to me. I attended an Ash Wednesday service in high school at a Methodist Church. I can’t remember the words the pastor said but I remember the feeling I had when I left. I had humbled myself in front of my friends as the pastor smeared ashes on my head in the shape of a cross. I walked out of the church with a cross on my head, a testament to everyone I saw that night that I was a believer of Christ. It makes me think about how we should have a cross on our heads every day. No, I am not talking about literally having a cross on our heads every day but how we should show the love of Christ through our words and actions. It also symbolizes to me how we never need to lose sight of the cross. The cross is where it was all paid. Every sin of mine and the entire world was paid for. Because of the cross I am able to have a personal relationship with my Savior and everlasting life. For me personally, lent is not what you give up but what you gain. It is about focusing more on the ultimate sacrifice, growing and realizing the freedom we have in Christ.
I can’t wait for G to attend his first Ash Wednesday and even more for God to reveal more of His glory to us.