Got Ashes?

Featured ~ Lisa Brittain

February 14, 2024

Today marks the beginning of Lent, and Valentine’s Day. The seemingly strange combination of observances has me pondering this morning.

Ashes and flowers.

Fasting and special dinners.

Abstinence and huge chocolate hearts.

And this scripture that reminds me of another unanticipated occurrence.

”God made him (Jesus) who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him (Jesus) we might become the righteousness of God.“
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5‬:‭21‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Jesus willingly lived, in the flesh, a life obedient to God so that He could be punished for my unwillingness to live a life obedient to God. His love, the love of Christ, for His Creation is so astounding that He would trade places with us… any one of us!

On this celebration of LOVE day, I am choosing ashes, and remembering Christ’s love for me. His love was for me before I even had a chance to rebel. His love was pursuing me in a multitude of ways that in my rebellion I didn’t understand. I think His pursuit for my heart scared me at the time. My perceptions of God and His Son were so skewed by a life lived by my own definitions, culturally influenced values and man-made rules. In short, I trusted myself more than God.

”Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.“
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I spoke this week in a group setting about my resistance to surrender. Though I’ve believed in Jesus from a young age, it’s taken me years of walking with Jesus to slowly, bit by bit, surrender my life and my will to God’s Lordship. And I’m not fully there.

The question presented in our group discussion was this in a nutshell:

“What would it take for you to fully surrender your life to God?”

Can I be honest? That question terrifies me. It sends a shiver down my spine because I don’t think I want to know the true answer to that question. And my reaction points straight to the root of the matter, doesn’t it? I presume it will take something horrible and torturous.

In reality, God’s gentleness and kindness shine most brightly. I can look back throughout the decades of my faith journey and see all the people, circumstances, and events God wove lovingly and delicately into my story as markers directing my eyes back to Him.

I spoke to the group of my stubborn willfulness keeping me from full surrender. A wise facilitator added an observation I had not previously considered. Fear. And it was a lightbulb moment. I see it now, a stubborn willfulness as a protective wall harboring a fearful heart.

Me and Jesus have some work to do. The truth has been revealed and I see it. Heart work is hard work, and a choice. I already know the benefits so I’ll agree. Jesus will be with me helping me trust Him with more of my heart.

I am choosing, not by religious law, but as an act of love and gratitude for Jesus, to give up something of my will each day that leads to Resurrection Sunday. And I am purposely turning my eyes to Him, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross to set me free… from myself.

It will feel to me that these choices are costing much. Choosing heart restoration always costs in terms of time, effort and pain. However, as I ponder I realize that I have not much understanding of cost. I’m not much acquainted with what it means to give my life for another.

”For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.“
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭1‬:‭13‬-‭14‬ ‭NIV‬‬

How about you, friend?

What does Lent mean to you?

Are you able to place yourself in my shoes, and ponder the immense love of Christ for you?

How do you feel about the idea of Jesus taking your punishment of death, and setting you free?

How will you celebrate this LOVE day?

Eyes on Jesus and Shine

Lisa

Published by Lisa Brittain

I am a curious follower of Jesus. I have been since my early twenties when I met Him personally and received miraculous healing in my body and mind. After many years of marriage and raising sons into the teen years, I received a challenge to explore the duplicity of my spoken faith followed up by my fearful living choices. It was my two sons, who loved me enough to confront me with the truth. They called out the hypocrisy of fear, and I am forever thankful. Chips off my proverbial block! I determined then to overcome fear with faith that was more than words. Years ago, with my eyes open to my sin of unbelief I made a decision to leave the desert wandering behind and set out to pursue the abundant life Jesus promised His disciples. God has been faithful to teach me, grow me up, and help me to let go of all the things that used to mean security to me. My passion is to walk so closely to Jesus that others want to know Him too. I love to introduce women to Him as we walk, talk, and work together hand in hand through everyday life. Nothing thrills me more than to watch someone fall in love with Jesus through His word; learning to trust His heart and receive His great love! I have been married to my dear man for over 36 rollercoaster years. We're simply thrilled that our latter days are more joyful and purposeful than our first. Together we have helped to grow two young men, who are now married with their own families. God is continuing to help them write their own faith stories. Additionally, we share our home with an old rescue pup. I look forward to having you join me here to fix our eyes on Jesus and shine with His radiance, Lisa Psalm 34:5

9 thoughts on “Got Ashes?”

  1. Thank you for visiting. As always I appreciate you participating in the conversation. I’ll be pondering your comment today as well. “Surrender is death. Death ain’t easy.” Whoa. Thank you for your comments.
    Eyes on Jesus and shine,
    Lisa

  2. Ashes have their rightful place and season, then he gives us Joy. Heart work is indeed hard-work, but it is the only way to get where we desperately desire to go – ever closer to the heart of Jesus.
    Surrender is a death. Death ain’t easy. But without is there is no resurrection.
    “What would it take for you to fully surrender your life to God?” – I will ponder over this great question. Thank you, Lisa

  3. Hi Donna! Thank you so much for taking time to visit and participate in this conversation. Your comments are an encouragement to me. I’ve been pondering the books 40 days of decrease, which seems to be popping up in lots of conversations lately. Eyes on Jesus… you’re shining!

  5. Oh thank you so much, Maree Dee. Thank you for visiting and taking time to engage with my words and message. I appreciate your comments so very much.
    I’m going to your Pinterest link now.
    Eyes on Jesus… You’re shining even in the midst of hard places. Lisa

  6. Surrender can be so hard and yet so rewarding. I too am on a lifetime pursuit of Jesus and surrendering it all to Him. Even when I do surrender I many times take it back.

    Thank you for sharing your wisdom with our Grace & Truth community! I will proudly feature it on my Pinterest board for Grace & Truth Featured Posts.

    You can see your article here—
    https://www.pinterest.com/embracingtheune/grace-truth-christian-link-up-featured-posts/.

  7. Lisa I love the way you contrasted the worldly idea of love on Valentine’s Day with the true and pure love of God which we contemplate throughout Lent. I look forward to Lent each year as a time to recalibrate and focus on the beauty of Christ. Yet like you, surrender is that word which strikes fear into my heart. I think with each passing Lenten season I learn to let go a little more.

  9. I have so much more to learn about love and giving and surrender! I’m so thankful that He is so patient and full of grace!!

Comments are closed.