Ashes for Beauty

Now I can trade these ashes in for beauty, And wear forgiveness like a crown; Coming to kiss the feet of mercy, I lay every burden down At the foot of the cross. Kathryn Scott

You're getting this Enews early this week because today is Ash Wednesday. For those of you who grew up in the church, you may have participated in Ash Wednesday by having ashes applied to your forehead. Being marked with ashes at the beginning of Lent was always kinda cool when I was a kid, but why do we do it? Ashes are an old symbol. Wearing ashes on our forehead is a symbol of  our mortality ("...ashes to ashes, dust to dust"). They are also a symbol of repentance (i.e. wearing "sackcloth and ashes"). And they indicate our humble recognition of our need for a savior. On this day we have ashes placed on our forehead in the shape of a cross because it is a sign and a reminder of our Christian baptism. Have you ever wondered why a season which ends with such a great and glorious victory at the tomb of our Risen Lord would begin with ugly, dirty, gray ashes? Friends, it is because we need to be reminded during this season of Lent that the road to victory for Jesus was not easy or beautiful; it was dirty and bloody and full of suffering. And he won that victory for us. Read these words from a beautiful song by Kathryn Scott: At The Foot Of The Cross Where Grace And Suffering Meet You Have Shown Me Your Love Through The Judgment You Received And You've Won My Heart Yes, You've Won My Heart Now I Can Trade These Ashes In For Beauty And Wear Forgiveness Like A Crown Coming To Kiss The Feet Of Mercy I Lay Every Burden Down At The Foot Of The Cross At The Foot Of The Cross Where I Am Made Complete You Have Given Me Life Through The Death You Bore For Me I'm Laying Every Burden Down I'm Laying Every Burden DownI invite you to use this song as a reminder and a prayer during this Lenten season. I will. Greg