Lenten Devotional: February 18, 2026

by Rev. Bob Martin

Ashes for the Season

Read: Job 42:6 

"...and I sit in dust and ashes to show my repentance."

How often do you hit the brakes in life to pause and reflect on where you stand before God? Ash Wednesday reminds you "we are dust and to dust we all return." After a long debate of life's foibles and concerns, Job realizes after God speaks, he has missed the mark. Instead of traveling life on his own trajectory, Job finally understands God remains faithful to forgive him where he misses the mark. He covers himself in dust and ashes to show repentance. Repentance means to change direction. It means to acknowledge you are not perfect, and your life is oftentimes a reflection of the choices made through free will and actions. Repentance helps re-orient your life back onto the amazing path, fulfilling Jesus' promise that "He came so that you could live a life of abundance." When you wear the ashes, it reclaims you as God's treasured creation while reminding you change is required for a transformed heart.  

Action: Use the season of Lent as a time to reflect and repent. Consider adopting a renewed posture of prayer while surrendering the lures of the world into the hands of the One who created you and calls you to live into His glorious image.