Ash Wednesday is not usually thought of as a blissful holiday, I know. But this year, I have already found some bliss this day and hope that it continues throughout the Lenten season. I have found bliss in the reminders that Ash Wednesday offers to me: of Christ's suffering so that I could live...of God's love that frees me from all bonds...of God's faithfulness and peace that he offers me so freely...of Christ's determination to triumph over evil.
Over the years, I have gone back and forth with "giving up" something during Lent. Some years it feels like the right thing to do and other years it does not. A family joke every year growing up was my grandfather always giving up watermelon and cigarettes; well, watermelon wasn't in season and he didn't smoke, so his Lenten fast was easy for him!
I have given up desserts, sodas, sugar, snacks...all of these were good reminders of the sacrifice I should be making for Christ, but they were not extremely meaningful. A couple of years, I added things to my daily routine instead of giving something up. I added daily prayer time and devotions, Bible readings, meditation. These were a much deeper thing for me and I really enjoyed it.
Last year, a friend in my Sunday School class told me about a Lent Calendar that she was using during her 40 day focus on God. This calendar had a different suggestion for you to follow every day during the season and there were some interesting additions and subtractions to your daily routine! The Lent Calendar is created each year by Mars Hill Church, the home church of one of my all-time favorite writers and preachers in our modern age: Rob Bell. I half-heartedly followed the calendar last year, but this year I am focused and ready. I have a copy of the Lent Experiential Calendar on my desk at work and in my kitchen at home so that I have no excuse to forget to read it daily!
If you'd like an idea of some things on the calendar:
Today's suggestion is to have an ash cross put on your forehead. (I should be able to do this tonight at our worship service at church...day one: done.) Tomorrow's suggestion is to write a prayer to God explaining the habits, behaviors, and sins you want to die to this Lenten season.
If you would like to download and print the calendar for your own use, just click here.
Have a blessed Ash Wednesday and a deep, meaningful Lenten season. I hope that you find bliss in it!
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