Devotion 

Ash Wednesday 

Frances Taylor 

As the season of Lent begins, what are your thoughts? Some people respond to Lent by giving up something. For some, it's chocolate, or dessert, or alcohol; for others, it's smoking or some other habit. There are also people who see this as an opportunity to give up time and spend their time doing good works. They may volunteer at a soup kitchen or homeless shelter. They may collect food or clothing for the poor. Others take fasting to heart and take the money they might have spent on snacks and give it to the poor. What does God want of us? He wants a pure heart, a heart that is full of love and compassion, of forgiveness and kindness. Lent is a time to take stock of our lives. What do we need to change in order to "rend our hearts?" In Joel's day, people showed that they were repentant by wearing rags – rent garments – and sitting in ashes – not bathing.

Many of us go to church services on Ash Wednesday to get ashes placed on our foreheads. What does it really mean if that is one of the only days of the year that we go to church and then do nothing more to show our love of God? Are we actually showing a change of heart, a repentant spirit? Or are we hypocrites? Joel tells us what God expects, as we begin this holy season, may we truly prepare to celebrate Easter.

Prayer 

Lord, you give us this season of Lent each year to remind us of the sacrifice that your Son Jesus made on our behalf. May we use this time to become more worthy of his sacrifice. Amen.