Write From My Heart / February 17, 2021 / Ash Wednesday – New Beginnings – A Fresh Start
Introduction
Today I accept the privilege of a new beginning—a fresh start. After setting devotional writing aside for several weeks (since January 24th, to be precise), I have decided to resume writing the things I feel from my heart. By the way, the only reason I remember the date is because that was the very day my rude and callous words hurt someone else deeply. At that time, I remember thinking to myself that if I couldn’t be civil or kind to others then it would be fairly hypocritical for me to continue writing anything, especially those things of a devotional nature, even after sincerely apologizing for my attitude.
What I sincerely believe is that when we are forgiven by our Heavenly Father through the sacrifice of Christ, we are truly forgiven. Not only this, but our Heavenly Father also remembers our sins no more. (See Psalm 103:12, Isaiah 1:18, Isaiah 44:22, Isaiah 43:25, among others.) Unfortunately although our Heavenly Father does not keep throwing our offenses back into our pathway, we do. As I was thinking of my failure to “let it go” I happened to notice a post from one of my New England cousins (thank you, P.B.S.) which stated:
Trying to hurt me by bring up my past is like trying to rob my old house. I don’t live there anymore. That ain’t my stuff! (--A Modern Day Ruth, FB February 5th)
That’s when I realized what I was doing to myself. If the recipient of my unkind words has forgiven me, and if my Heavenly Father has forgiven me, then it is time for me to forgive me. I don’t have to go back to the same house anymore. I don’t live in the realm of the past anymore. The road leads forward and that is the direction I choose to travel.
Today is Ash Wednesday. Although I
have never meticulously followed the Lenten season, I did pick up the
devotional booklet our church is using this year. For those interested, it is
called Places of the Passion, R. Lessing, 2021 Creative
Communications for the Parish, and it is available in print or for Kindle
through Amazon and Nook. From time to time I will include some of the thoughts
from this devotional booklet. What I realize is that the history of Ash
Wednesday and the significance of ashes is the symbolic representation of the
fact that we are mortal—made of dust—and we will return to dust after death.
(Genesis 3:19, Job 7:21, Psalm 78:39, Psalm 90:3) However this is not the
terminus for those with faith in Christ. There will be a resurrection—a day of
blessed hope that is yet to come. (Isaiah 26:19, Romans 6:5, 1 Corinthians 6:14
and 15:51-52, Titus 2:13) My goal to be on the rejoicing side of that Day of
Blessed Hope is dependent upon my faith in Christ. Thankfully, my faith in
Christ is not dependent upon my own wisdom and strength or I would surely
falter, but upon the power of God who gives such faith generously to those who
seek it. (1 Corinthians 2:5)
Thoughts to ponder: “To know Jesus is to trust Jesus; to trust Jesus is to love Jesus; to love Jesus is to follow Jesus.” ~~R. Lessing, Places of the Passion, (2021)
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