ASH WEDNESDAY

Even now . . . 

Here we are at the beginning of Lent, and the first words we hear are immediate, even urgent: “Even now, says the Lord, return to me” (Joel 2:12).

Joel’s words are a reminder to us that Lent is an entire forty days of “now.” Every day during this season, you can return to the Lord. Not later, but now. You can make plans to fast or to spend more time in prayer or to give to those in need. Not sometime in the future, but now. There’s a wide-open feeling about Lent because God is offering you a fresh start. A new opportunity to draw closer to him. Another chance to put your love for him into action.

And if you stumble? If you sleep through the time you had set aside to pray or absentmindedly eat meat on a Friday or put off your plans to serve lunches at the local shelter? Every day is another now, another opportunity to start again. God’s mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23). If one day is discouraging, the next one can be better because the Lord is “gracious and merciful.” He is “slow to anger, rich in kindness” (Joel 2:13). He will pour out his mercy and strength and joy on you, now, as you return to him with repentance, trust, and humility.

That’s why Lent is such a blessed season. You have the opportunity each and every day to return to the Lord, to get to know him more, to learn how to better love the people around you. When you love and commit yourself to him, he fills you with his love and grace. You do your best, and even when you fall, he takes you back and gives you a fresh start. His life can grow in you more and more every day as you get closer to Easter.

It’s Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent. So make a plan and return to the Lord. Even now.

“Jesus, I want to use every day this Lent to grow closer to you. Help me return to you now.”

Psalm 51:3-6, 12-14, 17
2 Corinthians 5:20–6:2
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18
Joel 2:12-18