Lent is here! Today is Ash Wednesday, the first day of the season of Lent, and around the world, millions of Christians are beginning a 40-day journey of reflection toward Easter. The Lenten season is focused on reflection and repentance—of acknowledgement of our sins in anticipation of the forgiveness that Easter represents.

In this spirit, many Christians mark this day by spreading ashes on their foreheads, typically in the shape of a cross. Ashes feature prominently throughout the Bible as a symbol of grief and repentance; there are many examples from the Old Testament, but here’s one from the story of Esther:

When Mordecai learned of all that had been done, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the city, wailing loudly and bitterly. — Esther 4:1 (NIV)

Among the Bible passages often associated with Ash Wednesday is Joel 2, which includes one of the Bible’s most eloquent calls for God’s people to repent of their sins and return to God:

“Even now,” declares the Lord,
“return to me with all your heart,
with fasting and weeping and mourning.”
Rend your heart
and not your garments.
Return to the Lord your God,
for he is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and abounding in love,
and he relents from sending calamity.
Who knows? He may turn and relent
and leave behind a blessing—
grain offerings and drink offerings
for the Lord your God.
Blow the trumpet in Zion,
declare a holy fast,
call a sacred assembly.
Gather the people,
consecrate the assembly;
bring together the elders,
gather the children,
those nursing at the breast.
Let the bridegroom leave his room
and the bride her chamber.
Let the priests, who minister before the Lord,
weep between the portico and the altar.
Let them say, “Spare your people, Lord.
Do not make your inheritance an object of scorn,
a byword among the nations.
Why should they say among the peoples,
‘Where is their God?’” — Joel 2:1-12 (NIV)

Maybe you’re planning to observe Lent in some way, or perhaps not. Regardless, today is as good a day as any to take a few minutes to reflect on the state of your heart and mind. Do you have anything you need to confess to God? Have you accepted the forgiveness that God freely grants through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ? Ash Wednesday—and every day—is a good day to take stock of your relationship with God, and to accept the grace that He freely offers.

Image credit: Jennifer Balaska.