INDEPENDENT’S VIEW OF ASH WEDNESDAY

INDEPENDENT’S VIEW OF ASH WEDNESDAY

I am spiritually conservative, functionally liberal, relationally accepting and politically ‘moderate independent’. Saying that may help you understand me. Maybe.
Today I write about a topic not usually associated with Protestant Evangelicals, of which I am one. The subject I write of is Lent. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and starts a forty day season of preparation toward Easter. It comes after the season of Epiphany, which begins January 6th. That day, historically was thought to be a day to remember the Magi visiting the child-Christ, yet it also meant to put our thoughts on the God-Man: Jesus. He was to be called Emmanuel - God with us and so there has been a long season of celebration because of His coming. That season closes on Mardi Gras, which is French for Fat Tuesday. It is the last day of celebration and eating before Lent begins.
You may ask, “What does the topic have to do with politics or being an independent?” Aaah! My dear Indy-friend , that is a great question and I’m glad you asked. Being independent is more than a political point of view. It is a choice everyday to not walk in the societal norm because they make rules that should not apply. It is a rebellion against being compartmentalized and being labeled. As an independent I can cross over to other worlds and grab something that is may be associated with their calendar or practices and adopt it as mine though I am not of their persuasion. In this case it is the thoughts, beliefs, and events of the Catholic, Episcopalian, or Lutheran.
So independent thinkers, come with me on a journey of thought on the subject of Lent and specifically Ash Wednesday. Here are five thoughts as to why Lent is a good idea, as an independent.

1. I can do it too!
2. I’m Fast!
3. Broken isn’t always bad!
4. Ashes to Ashes!
5. Give it some thought!

1. I can do it too!
Lent is for Catholics, Episcopalians, and Lutherans . I’m not one. So I emphasize my independence in doing it. Here is the thing. We all like Mardis Gras and the celebration that comes with it. It exists solely because Lent exists. It is the last day of ‘Yippie’ before we look toward the Cross, Passover, and Easter. (Resurrection day) Hey, if we can run in the freedom of the party (the humanity), we can also run on the road that calls us to focus on what is right. (Divine) I know most who wear the masks, party, gather beads and go crazy are not thinking of anything but the party, but I do know many who on the next morning have hangovers, regrets, and remorse. Today, join me in taking off any masks and come before God in open humility.

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/breaking/84580147.html?cmpid=15585797

2. I’m Fast!
Okay, we all ate well last night (Fat Tuesday). Some drank well -probably from the well. Right?! Okay, Ash Wednesday now calls for us to fast. “Fast!” Yes, you read that right. After all the holiday parties and family gatherings; after the Superbowl feast and the Valentine’s Day chocolate feed; after Fat Tuesday drinks and eats: It couldn’t hurt to cut out a meal. I mean didn’t we all gain 20 pounds over the past two month? Fasting is more than a diet program though. It is about replacement: replacing the things that feed the physical body to focus on spiritual things. It is about taking the time that we use to eat and using that time for inner reflection and soul searching. It is about allowing the toxins in our body to clear out that we may begin afresh in a healthy stance. With the renewed focus, we may find ourselves in a better place to hear God, see God, and be about the things God desires for all people.

http://www.falconblanco.com/health/fasting.htm

3. Broken isn’t always bad!
In the spirit of the Lent season, I have a confession! Although I am an independent, I am dependant. I am also interdependent. I believe that there is truth in the statement, “God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble”, and that the “meek will inherit the earth”. As a child I did not want to get on Santa’s bad list. (I have long since let go of belief in Santa – shock!) Now as an adult, I have no desire to be on God’s bad list. I would much rather be on a grace-receiving list. So humility is in order. Repentance is about turning around and choosing another direction. Remorse is a true inner sorrow for past actions and the ramifications of those actions on one’s self and others. Both of these can be healthy! They take us off of self-focus and self-indulgence and steer us in the right direction. So I am dependent on God. I am also interdependent with many friends, family, and my society. We need each other. I am ready as an independent to stand for your rights, your health and your freedom. And I am also ready to acknowledge that we all could use a strong dose of looking to God. Look with me.
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/588613/humility_is_the_solid_foundation_of.html

4. Ashes to Ashes!
Okay, there may be a few of you, like me, out there who that don’t like to discuss death. I am not gonna’ get into it, other to say that I will bet you all that I have or ever will have that unless some Divine act occurs, everyone reading this will one day die. We are all in good company. Now when, I die, I have asked my wife to have me cremated. It is a faster process of body deteriorization than putting my body in a box. I have seen enough CSI and forensic shows to know that cremation is for me. When God comes back, he can put all the pieces together. I mean if he can create from dust, and can resurrect those who have been gone for ages, he can handle making my new resurrected body. Can’t He? My point is this though. We are all going to be dust; just a grain of sand on the vast seashore of the universe. Reflecting on this truth puts many things in perspective. The major thought is that life is short and I want to spend it doing better things, being a better husband, father, and friend. I will be a grain of sand, but today I can make a difference on the beach where I live.

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,813446,00.html


5. Give it some thought!
The article I have linked below speaks of three aspects of Lent: sober reflection, self-examination, and spiritual redirection. Nice alliteration! 1. Sober reflection - Sober would be good after Fat Tuesday, and I know some of you are already gearing up for Saint Patrick’s Day, College Basketball Playoffs, or maybe just this Friday to get your drink on. But I think it is important that we follow the words of Paul, in the Bible, when he says, “Do not be drunk with wine, but drunk on the Holy Spirit.” We can’t have true reflection unless we are sober. Sober in the sense of not being inebriated, but also sober in the sense that we are taking a serious look at things. 2. Self-examination – remember your January 1st resolutions? Yeah, how easily we forget. Remember we are all the same people we were last year other than the places we have gone, the people we have met, the books we have read, and the inner changes we have allowed God to do in us. Self-examination implies that I give myself a test. What is my grade? Lent allows me to assess my grade and to make adjustments. 3. Spiritual redirection – This is it --the day to redirect my thoughts from me to God, me to others, me to the world. This is a spiritual thing. I can’t do it on my own because I am a physical person. I must look to God for His help, His hope and His hand. I have ash on my forehead today to remind me to put my thoughts on higher things.

http://www.kencollins.com/question-02.htm


Thoughts and Comments
What are your thoughts and experiences about lent, Mardis Gras, or Ash Wednesday? I would appreciate any and all comments.