Ash Wednesday & Valentine's Day

I love organizing my work and home “paper” calendars. This year I was surprised to see that Ash Wednesday coincides with Valentine’s Day. I learned about Ash Wednesday over the past few years at South Tulsa Baptist. We hold special services to honor the Lord and begin the first day of the liturgical season of Lent. I am pleased that we will do these services again this year.

I’ve learned that Ash Wednesday is a holy day of prayer and fasting. It marks the first day of Lent and the six weeks of penitence before Easter. Ash Wednesday is traditionally observed with fasting and abstinence from meat in several Christian denominations. Many Christians begin by making a Lenten sacrifice of something that they will not partake of until the arrival of Easter. It does not have to be abstinence of meat. Many of my friends choose to “fast” from social media, television programs, soda, coffee drinks……

We should ask the Lord what HE would like to see us fast from. Is there something in my life that is not necessarily a bad thing, but something that I can let become controlling and somewhat addictive?

Our January Bible Study was in Matthew 5, the Sermon on the Mount. In verses 16-18, Jesus addresses the subject of fasting. Jesus tells us when we fast, don’t be gloomy. Wash your face and don’t let your fasting be obvious to others, but only to your Father in secret. Can I do that for six weeks? I’m praying about this part of Lent. What might God lay on my heart to fast from for six weeks?

I’m great at celebrating Valentine’s Day and love for friends and family. I send cards and cook Italian food. Can I celebrate my love for Jesus in a much more private way? Can you? I wish you a wonderful Valentine’s Day, filled with LOVE. I pray you will consider partaking in our Ash Wednesday services and pray about fasting for six weeks, just between you and your Lord.