ashes, ashes, we all fall down

I suppose it is not the most appropriate title for an Ash Wednesday post, but it was the first thing that popped into my head. Yet, I think I can make jsut that line alone work for Ash Wednesday. I feel like such a bad person for not going to church tonight, but sometimes things do not work out the way we would like them too. Anyway, these ashes are supposed to be the burnings of last years palm fronds from Palm Sunday. The imposition of the ashes is symbolic as a form of repentance and preparation for the 40 days of Lent that are symbolic of the time that Jesus spent fasting and preparing for Easter and his time on the cross. With that being said, with these ashes we fall on our knees, we "fall down" in repentance and ask for forgiveness. It is the symbolic beginning to a time of almost darkness, times of temptation when Jesus really struggled with what he knew was ultimately going to happen to him. I know this song is better for Easter, but it always makes me want to fall to my knees and remember what God and Jesus did for us, God was willing to send His only son whom He loved so much, to die on the cross to forgive us. What more could any person ask for? We have to be so thankful for that.

In only a moment truth

Was seen revealed this mystery

The crown that showed no dignity He wore

And the King was placed for all the world

To show disgrace but only beauty flowed from this place

Would you take the place of this man?

Would you take the nails from His hands?

Would you take the place of this man?

Would you take the nails from His hands?

He held the weight of impurity

The Father would not see

The reasons had finally come to be to

Show the depthy of his grace with

Every sin erased He knew that this

Was why He came

Would you take the place of this man?

Would you take the nails from His hands?

Would you take the place of this man?

Would you take the nails from His hands?

And we just don't know the blood and

Water flowed and in it all

He shows just how much He cares

And the veil was torn so we could have

This open door and all these things have

Finally been complete

Would you take the place of this man?

Would you take the nails from His hands?

Would you take the place of this man?

Would you take the nails from His hands?

"This Man" - Jeremy Camp

We have to be aware and remember what this time is all about. It is not about, can I give something up and stick with it or can I adopt a habit that would benefit me. We should really be giving up something so difficult, like 40 days of fasting, that we struggle to make it through and rely on the God's strength and assurance to get us through. We should also be focusing on studying different parts of the Bible, not just trying to give something up.