Don't Take This Wrong, But You're Going to Die

Tuesday. The Day Before the Beginning of Lent

An Imposition

Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday, and I hope the readers of The Anglican will find a church and experience what the Book of Common Prayer calls The Imposition of Ashes.

I admire the writers of the Book of Common Prayer for many years. They call it like it is. And they have called this beautiful service truthfully:

It is an IMPOSITION.

We would rather not be reminded of our mortality. We resist it. We avoid it. We distract ourselves with schedules, noise, and the illusion of permanence.

But on Ash Wednesday, the Church interrupts us. The ashes are not offered. They are IMPOSED. It’s polite, don’t get me wrong. Noone will raise their voice. But across the world people will attend a congregation of their choice and line up, single file, for the pastor, priest, minister to smudge their foreheads with soot—usually in the shape of a cross—and then speak these words.

“Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”

Ouch! That’s hard to hear!

In any other setting and on any other day, these words could start a fight. But on Ash Wednesday, the words simply tell the truth.

One day.
Somehow.
Somewhere.
Someplace.
We are going to die.

Ashes. Ashes. We all fall down.

Then Lent begins.

Lent: The Gift That Keeps On Giving

Christianity is not a sentimental escape from life. It is a faith that deals with stark realities.

But don’t fear Lent. It’s not all doom and gloom—it’s not sad at all. Yes, it can be sobering, but it isn’t a season for dreariness or despair.

Lent invites us into remembrance and repentance, calling us to genuine humility. But this isn’t self-hatred; it’s honesty.

We often hear how unique we are—individual, one of a kind. Yet Lent whispers a different truth: we are not all that special. We are but one among billions, each having our day in the sun, as Scripture reminds us. But the end—our end—draws near.

We must hold these two truths as self-evident:

We are loved and cherished by God as if we were the only soul He ever created.

And

We are one among the multitude, sharing the same sins, sufferings, quirks, and quiet hopes as all who tread this dusty path.

My own tradition, the Anglican Church, captures this delicate balance in the Collect for Ash Wednesday, offering words that hold both the weight of our mortality and the lightness of divine love.

Say it to yourself.

Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing you have made, and you forgive the sins of all who are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

It is a beautiful prayer. But do you see those two realities? We are sinners. But not just that. We are loved, broken, forgiven, and saved.

What Will God Do In You?

The next few weeks could be transformative.

Some will treat Lent like a second chance at a New Year’s resolution: “Well, that didn’t go so well—let me try again.” Others might let the season slip by, thinking, “I’ve got too much going on with work, travel, and projects.”

But some of you—you—are feeling the pull to walk differently this season.

You want to pay attention to your heart, your faith, your worries, and your time. You long to draw closer to His presence, to think, pray, act, walk, and live with intention.

Lent is not about adding more to your to-do list. It’s about creating space.

Space to listen.
Space to breathe.
Space to let God do something new in you.

What might happen if you let Him?

Join Me Weekdays for the Next Weeks

Over the next five weeks, every weekday, I’ll be sharing my thoughts and ideas to guide us deeper into this season—into repentance, renewal, and the suffering and the glory of Christ.

📖 Grab a Bible.
🖊️Get a notebook and pen.
📚 Pick up a copy of The Psalm on the Cross.

The book is a backstory for the meditations and thoughts I will share with you every day at 6:12 AM Central.
Most critical, become a paid subscriber.

Consider inviting a friend to join you.

Let’s walk this road together. The ashes will fade—but what we learn and who we become will remain.

I look forward to being with you tomorrow at 6:12 AM Central

David ☩
The Anglican

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The Anglican is the Substack newsletter for LeaderWorks, where I share insights, encouragement, and practical tools for clergy and lay Christians. I’m also an author of over a dozen books available on Amazon.

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