Wednesday, March 2, is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of what we call the season of Lent…six weeks of focus on the work of Jesus, and how, in the end, He was betrayed and hung on a cross to die, all for the sins of mankind. When I was in Catholic grammar school, the nuns made sure that I knew everything there was to know about Lent, but I didn’t know that God loved me until many years later!

I went to church on Ash Wednesday, had ashes put on my forehead with the words: Dust you are, to dust you shall return. But the most important part of Lent somehow was beyond my understanding; Jesus loved me so much that he gave up His life…for me! If only I had realized years ago that my God requires nothing more than my love and surrender to his plan for me!

So as Lent begins, make a choice to pray more. Spend time in the Word. Make Sunday worship a priority. Learn to develop a relationship with God that is based on love, trust and a healthy dose of fear and respect. There is little you can do that will drive Him away, but he waits to be invited into your life. Imagine…this Jesus is someone who already knows all there is to know about you, yet he still wants to be with you!

Can you say that about anyone else in your life?