Ashes

Today has been powerful.

I was privileged to be the organist for tonight's Ash Wednesday service. As is fitting, I chose very somber, solemn pieces for prelude/postlude, and the majority of the hymns were very solemn and somber. The ultimate goal of Ash Wednesday is to remind us of our sins, and also, what the Lenten journey we are about to begin means for our sins.

In light of what has happened, selecting, preparing, and playing music for tonight was easy. Because I was able to put so much more empathy and emotion into what I was playing.

I am not trying to make this post come off as me being boastful, but, a number of people remarked to me after the service something along the lines of "You really put meaning into some of those hymn verses. That was powerful."

Because of what has happened, I have such greater understanding and I think to a degree, appreciation, for what Christ suffered through Lent. And it carries through my music ministry. And I'm glad it can be used that way.

On the way out, people were handed a devotional from LHM, this year's is titled, "The Light Shines in the Darkness."

My heart skipped a few beats when I saw the cover, because that has been a key verse that many people who have been helping me continue to direct me toward. My entire journey has sort of taken on the theme of finding the light in the darkness. (So much in fact, that I'm renaming my blog).

I'd like to share a few paragraphs from the devotion for today, Ash Wednesday.

All of us struggle with the power of darkness in our lives, the darkness of fear, doubt, dread and anxiety. We see it in our health problems, financial struggles, and strained relationships. We see it in the darkness of our own struggles within.


On this Ash Wednesday, the Holy Spirit calls you to gather with His people in church where He will shine His glorious light into the darkest corners of our sin-filled hearts and minds The ashes of Ash Wednesday remind us of the death that darkness has brought to all. But it also reminds us our Savior took our death upon Himself, giving us His life and forgiveness.


I didn't need ashes to remind me of the darkness I am stuck in mentally, but I did for the sins which I am stuck in.

May this Lenten journey bring light to my dark soul. May the ashes imposed allow the cross of Christ to shine through my darkness. Not only that I can see the light, but others can see the light through me.

Here begins another new step in the journey.