Ash Wednesday (Day 1): Repentance
Week 1: Written by Jaci Mrosko
Mike and I have been at Excelsior Covenant since moving to Chanhassen in 1996. He currently serves as chair of the leadership team, and I am the organist for traditional worship. We became empty nesters in 2020 (Rachel, senior at University of Kansas; Jacob, freshman at Purdue). I also volunteer with VBS, am a Bible Study Fellowship leader, and accompany various local school music events. With free time, I enjoy walking, reading, crafts, playing piano, and most any type of game or puzzle.
Ash Wednesday (Day 1): Repentance
Scripture Reading: Psalm 51:1-5
1 Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion
blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash away all my iniquity
and cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is always before me.
4 Against you, you only, have I sinned
and done what is evil in your sight;
so you are right in your verdict
and justified when you judge.
5 Surely I was sinful at birth,
sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
Psalm 51 reminds us we are born sinful and that sin is always an offense against God. Yet I often minimize my sin. “It was just a mistake.” or “It’s not as bad as ___.” But Col. 3:5 says, “…put to DEATH the sinful, earthly things lurking within you.” How? From experience I can tell you that simply saying “no” to sin, doesn’t work. Repeatedly, I have said, “I must stop judging” …criticizing …worrying… Though I know it’s wrong, it just keeps happening!
A recent question in my Bible study began to transform my thinking… If I start by saying “yes” to God instead of trying (unsuccessfully) to say “no” to sin, things tend to fall into place. We will all still struggle with sin until heaven, but as the Spirit transforms us, our desire to be Christlike becomes more important than temporary, worldly pleasures. And the best part? Our merciful, loving God (v. 1) sent Jesus to save us from the eternal punishment our sinful natures deserve.
In what areas of your life do you need to say “yes” to God? How does Jesus’ death and resurrection give you strength to do so? What do you hope the Holy Spirit will transform in you during Lent?
Prayer: Holy God, transform me spiritually these next forty days. Help me say “yes” to you every day. Amen.