I grew up Baptist. Lent wasn't a thing. But the past few years, I have embraced a season of releasing, of simplicity, of emptying to make space for the Lord. I have chosen something to forgo, something to refocus - taking time to pray into what my fast will be in the days leading up to Ash Wednesday. I haven't had that opportunity this year. But this year, everything has shifted for me.
On Christmas Eve, our pastor asked us, "What does your 'Yes' to God look like for the coming year?" I clearly heard in my mind, "Your 'Yes' is everything." Luke 14:33 says, "any of you who does not RENOUNCE all that he has cannot be my disciple." RENOUNCE. Declare that something does not belong to me in the slightest. I have no right to it, and I can't be mad if something happens to it because I have no claim on it.
On this Ash Wednesday, I don't have a clear path for Lent. Maybe the Lord will show me something today. Maybe we'll just keep traveling the road of daily laying down my life and keeping my ears tuned to walk by the Spirit and not gratify the desires of the flesh. But I know one thing. I crave that knowing and following hard after Him will be my pure and holy passion. My magnificent obsession. My one glorious ambition for my life.
I encourage you to sit with Him today in a quiet space and pray this over your coming 40 days and the rest of the time you have on this earth. Then listen and see how He responds.