“In the case of Lent & Ashes, it would surely be an idol for me.  Oh….look at me.  I’ve got some super holy marking on my head.  Yes…that’s right. I understand some things about this stuff.  Come hear me wax eloquently about it.”

My heart is deceptive & wicked.  I need a redeemer.  I need a redeemer OUTSIDE of me.  I have found that in Christ Alone.  My heart is an idol factory.  I can produce idols in my heart quicker than Kimberly Clark can produce the 80 rolls of toilet tissue in a box that Steve brought home last night from work.  I mean, I can whip the idols out, if my heart is not constrained by Christ’s atonement on my behalf. Little children, keep yourselves from idols.  Yep.  I need that verse.

In the case of Lent & Ashes, it would surely be an idol for me.  Oh….look at me.  I’ve got some super holy marking on my head.  Yes…that’s right. I understand some things about this stuff.  Come hear me wax eloquently about it.

“Oh it’s just a sign of mourning and death.”  Um, I got enough of that in this world, thanks.  I’ve seen enough death in the past two months to last a GOOD long while, and yet, with every breath, I’m dying.  Death is everywhere.  It would do me good to rejoice in a Victor.  Not just in March and April, but every day.

And Lent?  Oh man. I have that in the BAG, people.  My heart would quickly whisper: Look at what YOU’VE done.  You gave it up.  You’ve inched your way a little closer to holy. I absolutely would cave to pride and talk about it.  To me, it’s simply flirting with the inevitable.  It’s like telling my 6 year old not to touch the play-doh on the counter left open and out.  Ha! Maybe somehow I would refrain from talking about it.  Ok.  But, that doesn’t change the inner workings of my heart.  Which isn’t any better than all of my catholic family posting “Be back in 40” with a crucifix as their new facebook profile picture.    God goes beyond our FB profile and everything we present to people.  Hebrews 4:12…two edged sword, dividing me right down to the core and discerning my thoughts and intentions of my heart.

“Well, you’re not practicing spiritual disciplines of fasting and prayer enough and this is a great opportunity.”  Um, no thanks.  You are correct.  I am not.  I need to “work” on this.  Truly.  But, not in the context of “everyone else is doing it.”  And wow!  It does seem like everyone now!  I looked up my home SOUTHERN BAPTIST church and guess what…they are talking about Lent.  REALLY?  It’s so hard not to think of it as yet another attempt to “bring the cool factor into the church.  Everybody’s doing it.”  Did all ya’ll not take the D.A.R.E. don’t do drugs program??  Come on.  This is peer pressure!

And here’s where I may be upsetting to the more theologically-minded, but it really isn’t first and foremost about a principle for me.  Or a confession.  It’s about me thinking this is contrary to the GOSPEL.

So, when it comes to Lent & Ashes, I run with my fingers in my ears.  I already have this factory inside of me.  I don’t repent as often as I should from it.  Why add fuel to the flame that runs my idol conveyor belt??

Here’s what I’m all about.  And it is FREEING.  I am FREE indeed.  When STRIVINGS CEASE.

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