A sweet meditation from Psalm 32 on the huge release that comes from admitting what we are — and why Ash Wednesday is the happiest of days.
Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven,
whose sin is covered.
Happy are those to whom the Lord imputes no iniquity,
and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
While I kept silence, my body wasted away
through my groaning all day long.
For day and night your hand was heavy upon me;
my strength was dried up* as by the heat of summer.
Then I acknowledged my sin to you,
and I did not hide my iniquity;
I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord’,
and you forgave the guilt of my sin.
Therefore let all who are faithful
offer prayer to you;
at a time of distress, the rush of mighty waters
shall not reach them.
You are a hiding-place for me;
you preserve me from trouble;
you surround me with glad cries of deliverance.
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So much counterintuitive joy in admitting our frailty… Ash Wednesday was very timely for me this year. I needed to be reminded that I'm not in control of anything-my relationships, my brokenness, or the details of how I will one day return to dust. But Jesus has been dust for me, and been crushed for me, and is with me now. Knowing that, I can be honest about my humanity, and my powerlessness, knowing that He is present with me in it.
Thanks for the good reminders of that-can't wait for this conference!