Pause

Just as I am, without one plea, but that thy blood was shed for me, and that thou bidd’st me come to thee, O Lamb of God, I come, I come. Just as I am, and waiting not to rid my soul of one dark blot, to thee, whose blood can cleanse each spot,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come. – Charlotte Elliott in “Just As I Am” (1834)
Listen

“And when you fast, don’t put on a sad face like the hypocrites. They distort their faces so people will know they are fasting. I assure you that they have their reward. When you fast, brush your hair and wash your face. Then you won’t look like you are fasting to people, but only to your Father who is present in that secret place. Your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” – Matthew 6:16-18
Think

On Ash Wednesday we read Jesus’ teaching about fasting. He says when the hypocrites fast, they seek attention; they want others to know how “holy” they are, so they put on a sad face. Oh, woe is me! But it’s all for show.

Today, our foreheads are smudged with ash, and we are reminded that we came from the dust and someday, we will return to the dust. We aren’t marked with ash to get attention or appear humble and holy, like the hypocrites called out by Jesus. No, it’s about remembering that we are fully human – no more, no less.

If you have decided to give something up for the next 40 days of Lent, may you begin this time just as you are – as a human being, no more, no less. And be open to what God might do in you. – Meredith Forssman
Pray

As you enter into a time of prayer, rest in these words from “Blessing the Dust” – a poem for Ash Wednesday.

…So let us be marked / not for sorrow. / And let us be marked not for shame. / Let us be marked / not for false humility / or for thinking / we are less / than we are

but for claiming / what God can do / within the dust, / within the dirt, / within the stuff / of which the world / is made… – Jan Richardson in Painted Prayerbook (2013)

God, you have done incredible things with the dirt and the dust of this world.

What might you do with the stuff of my life?

Let me listen and watch for your doing.

Amen
Go

Just as I am, though tossed about with many a conflict, many a doubt, fightings and fears within, without, O Lamb of God, I come, I come. Just as I am, thou wilt receive,
wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve; because thy promise I believe, O Lamb of God, I come, I come. – Charlotte Elliott in “Just As I Am” (1834)
Writer – Mother Meredith Shaw Forssman