HAPPY ASH WEDNESDAY!

February 1, 2026

Most people associate February with Valentine’s Day, and honestly, I like that! It helps break up the monotony of winter and invites us to think creatively about how to love others well. February 14th is often the focal point of the month. But just a few days later (at least this year), another significant day appears on the calendar: Ash Wednesday, marking the beginning of Lent.

The timing almost feels intentional, doesn’t it? A cultural celebration of love followed closely by a spiritual invitation into the deepest love of all - God’s love.

So… What Is Ash Wednesday?

Glad you asked! Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent. Its official name is “The Day of Ashes,” named for the tradition of marking one’s forehead with ashes in the sign of a cross as a symbol of repentance and humility. Since Lent is exactly 40 days long (not counting Sundays), Ash Wednesday will always be - you guessed it on a Wednesday!

While Scripture does not mention Ash Wednesday directly, the Bible frequently describes people placing dust or ashes on themselves as a sign of mourning, repentance, and returning to God. The practice echoes this ancient posture of humility before the Lord.

Ash Wednesday begins a season that invites us to slow down, look inward, and turn our hearts toward God.

And What Is Lent?

Lent is the 40-day journey leading up to Easter Sunday, traditionally marked by fasting, simplicity, and prayer. It’s an intentional season where believers slow down, create space, and grow in spiritual discipline and intimacy with Christ. But at its core, Lent is about repentance—turning from sin and consecrating ourselves to God. It reminds us of our deep need for mercy and our ongoing need to be shaped by God’s love.

Repentance (a change of mind that results in a change of action) matters because, without God, we are helpless to fix the brokenness within us. On our own, we cannot create a clean heart, pure motives, or transformed actions. That kind of renewal only happens through God’s power. Repentance isn’t simply feeling bad for our sins; it’s a sincere change of heart, mind, and direction, an intentional realignment with God’s ways and God’s character. It is turning toward the God who loves us, forgives us, and restores us.



And here’s the beautiful part - Repentance is not the start of a punishment. It is an invitation to freedom in Christ.

Well… What Does This Have to Do With the Season of Love?

Short answer: Everything.

If we have experienced God’s love, then we naturally desire to draw near to Him. If sin is what separates us from God, then repentance becomes the natural, love-driven response.

Repentance is not driven by fear, it is fueled by love.

Because of the Father’s great love, He sent His Son to enter our world and redeem it.

Because of the Son’s great love, He bore our sin and broke the power of death.

Because of the Spirit’s great love, He dwells within us, weeding out the roots of sin and shaping us into Christ’s likeness.

Love initiates redemption.

Love sustains transformation.

Love invites us into repentance.

Only two months ago, we were celebrating Advent, a season of anticipation, waiting, and longing for the arrival of Jesus. Advent reminds us of our deep need for a Savior and the hope that His coming brings. Lent continues that same story.

In Advent, we waited for Christ’s arrival.

In Lent, we walk with Christ toward His sacrifice.

 

Advent stirred our hope. Lent invites our surrender.

Advent proclaims, “The Light has come into the world.”

Lent invites us to ask, “What in me still needs to be brought into that Light?”

 

It’s a season that reminds us not only of what God’s loving plan has done, but also of what the Spirit’s loving work is doing in us right now, and of what Christ’s loving victory will do when He comes again.

As we enter the Lenten season, fresh off the heels of Valentine’s Day, and only weeks removed from Advent, we are invited into a fuller picture of God’s love: A love that came down - A love that laid itself down - And a love that will one day come again to make all things new. Let this season remind you that God’s love is not shallow or sentimental; it is deep, costly, and transforming. It invites us to trust Him, surrender to Him, and be shaped by Him.

As Ash Wednesday and a season of preparation for celebrating Christ’s victory over death approach, you and I are invited to consider this challenge.

What in my life needs to be released, surrendered, or repented of so I can better receive and respond to God’s love?

Is it a habit? (Eph 4:22-24, “...to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.”)

A fear? (Phil. 4:6-7,” Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”)

A distraction? (Prov. 4:25-27, “Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.”)

A sin that needs to be brought into the light? (1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”)

A burden you’ve carried alone? (Matt 11:28-30, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”)

So, as Advent reminds us to wait for Christ, and Lent invites us to walk with Christ, may we let go of what separates us from God. May we lean into His love free from the burden of sin.

And may we move toward Easter, and toward His return, with hearts full of hope, humility, and joy.