At our Ash Wednesday Worship nearly two weeks ago, I briefly described some spiritual disciplines that are a part of our Lenten journey from Ash Wednesday to Easter. Allow me to expand upon what I introduced.
Psalm 51 became our foundational scripture for the evening. A portion of this Psalm is shared now:
“1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. 4 Against you, you alone, have I sinned, and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are justified in your sentence and blameless when you pass judgement. 5 Indeed, I was born guilty, a sinner when my mother conceived me. 6 You desire truth in the inward being;* therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart. 7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8 Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have crushed rejoice. 9 Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.”
To be in that place where God seeks for us to be requires what I have called a form of spring-cleaning. God’s abundant forgiveness and grace is unending as we open ourselves for Him to mold us as a potter molds a piece of clay or as an artist paints a gorgeous painting.
Let us truly open ourselves to God’s enfolding love and blessing.
Pastor Nik
