From dust you came..

Lent.  It's that time of year.

Oh, all the Facebook posts you'll read about people giving up this or that for Lent.  Facebook itself has become a hot thing to give up for lent.   Maybe they will post about how hard this week has been to find the will-power of giving it up.  Chocolate.  That has got to be a deep soul thing.

I think sometimes we are just a little confused about the season of Lent.

When I impart the ashes I say these words aloud:

"From dust you came, and to dust you shall return"

The whole problem with giving up something so we can then kneel at his feet and with cupped, raised hands say "I did this for you" is that it becomes about us.

"From dust you came... "

You and me are just but a speck of dust in the Grand Canyon.

The ashes remind us of that.

The cross reminds us that even as we lay insignificant, Jesus calls us "loved."

Lent is really about our mortal bodies and minds coming to grips with the fact that we are mortal, we are sinful, and, the most beautiful truth, we are redeemed.

Maybe you'll give something up this year for lent.  Maybe you'll try.  Maybe you'll fail.  Maybe you'll come to the conclusion that you can't do it.  That's you and me.  Mortal. Sinful. Redeemed.

I don't want Lent to push me to the limits of my will-power but to Jesus.  Every bit of Him.  The deep joy, the purpose-filled suffering, the unconventional peace, and the glorious redemption!

From dust you came, and to dust you shall return.  Thank you Jesus for the cross!