Some of my dear friends think Ash Wednesday and Lent are not for the Reformed church. I could write much on this idea, but want to simply focus on Ash Wednesday since that is coming in a few days.

Do we need to be reminded of our mortality? Scripture bids us often to be heavenly minded. We are exhorted to not set our affections on things on earth. We are told that while God is eternal, this life is a vapor. We are told to number our days that we might apply our heart to wisdom.

In a day when society is enamored with beauty, fitness, living longer, and a quest for the “fountain of youth”, I find the need to be reminded of the brevity of this life a very necessary thing.

I can get so focused on this life and the stuff of this world that I forget. I forget that there is an eternity to live for and to live in light of.  I forget that things and stuff are passing away, but there is that which remains.

Here are the words of Psalm 90:

1 Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. 2 Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. 3 You return man to dust and say, “Return, O children of man!” 4 For a thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the night. 5 You sweep them away as with a flood; they are like a dream, like grass that is renewed in the morning: 6 in the morning it flourishes and is renewed; in the evening it fades and withers. 

Then – listen to how the writer ends the song:14 Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. 15Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, and for as many years as we have seen evil. 16 Let your work be shown to your servants, and your glorious power to their children. 17 Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!

Let our work count – let it be effective for eternity. Teach us, O Lord.