A Stain that Does Not Wash Away

Last week, millions of Christians worshipped in their respective churches to begin the season of Lent.    They came together on a day called Ash Wednesday where  a pastor or priest placed ashes on their forehead.    As we study the scriptures, we see that ashes are a common symbol of repentance for the people of God.    I suspect by now that the dark stain of those ashes on their foreheads has been long washed away.  While that might be the case,  the  dark stains of our heart do not so easily wash away.   Even the priciest soaps or lotions cannot wash away  stains of our heart like envy, lies, and the like.  As the old hymn says,  “What can wash away all my sins, nothing but the blood of Jesus.”

Lent is a time of the Christian year when we look inwardly at ourselves.  In light of the glory of Christ, we surely discover that we are all sorely lacking to be the people God has called us to be.    I invite you to let Lent be more than any other date on the calendar, even the church calendar.    Let Lent this year be a time of purging yourself of those sins that cling so closely that you might be drawn closer to Christ and look a little more like Christ Jesus.      Have a holy Lent, and a joy-filled week.-  Pastor Randy Wall  

Prayer:   O God, we have failed miserably and often in being the people you have called us to be.  Through the grace that is only found in simple faith in you,  forgive us and make us more like you;  through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.