Today, millions of Christians throughout the world enter into a time of darkness called Lent. It marks a time in the Christian calendar when we reflect on the darkness of our own soul and the darkness in the world around us.

These days, it seems easy to do both. How many of us have not caught ourselves off-guard this year as we watched our own anger or fear explode spilling over onto ourselves, our family and friends or, perhaps worst of all, complete strangers?

And yet, this season is not devoid of hope.

We still have and will always have the small and powerful light burning before us, a light that has many names but one purpose: to remind us of the hope that has already been secured for the world.

Lent teaches us to see the light again—for only in complete darkness can we refocus on what we knew really mattered in the first place.

Best and better yet is the very real promise that at the end, in 40 (ish) days, the darkness will end.

Completely.

Forever.

And we will glimpse a kingdom that we have always, deeply been longing for.

Why Ashes?

Usually, on Ash Wednesday, the sign of the cross is made with the ashes on a person’s forehead, reminding the person of what Lent is all about – the journey to the cross and the death of Jesus. Often the words ‘for dust you are and dust you shall return’ are said at the time the ashes are imposed as a reminder of our frailty as humans.

Read more about the symbolism and significance of Ash Wednesday.